Growth and yield response of marigold to potting media containing vermicompost produced from different wastes

Investigations were made to assay the influence of vermicomposts, prepared from (i) cow dung (CD) and (ii) sugar mill wastewater treatment plant sludge spiked with horse dung, on the growth and productivity of marigold plants in pot culture experiments. The soil was used as potting media, and vermicomposts were amended with it in 10, 20, 30 and 40% ratio. A total of nine different potting media were prepared. The fertility status of soil and vermicomposts was quantified. There were significant differences in the fertilizer quality of soil and both the vermicomposts. Maximum numbers of flowers was produced in the potting media containing 30% of CD vermicompost and minimum was reported in control (soil without amendments). The diameter of biggest flower was reported in the potting media containing 40% of sugar mill wastewater treatment plant sludge vermicompost. Results showed that the addition of vermicompost, in appropriate quantities, to potting media has synergistic effects on growth and flowering of plants including number of buds, number of flowers, plant shoot biomass, root biomass, plant height and diameter of flowers.