Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENRICHMENT OF MINERAL CONTENTS OF KERNELS OF SUNFLOWER PLANT (HELIANTHUS ANNUS L.) EXPOSED TO VARIOUS PERCENTAGES OF VERMICOMPOST

S. Umavathi and P.K. Ramasamy

Abstract

Various percentages of vermicompost (25%, 50%. 75% and 100%) derived from the earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae was made with red soil. The plant was grown in these vermicompost-red soil mixtures for maximum 90 days period of exposure and the plants were harvested and the kernels were collected at the end of 90 days. In the kernels of the sunflower plant the minerals such as Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc and Copper of kernels of sunflower plant (Helianthus annus L.) were analyzed. The sodium, calcium, iron and Zinc contents were found to be maximum in the kernels collected from the plant cultivated in 50% vermicompost concentration but at the same time potassium, magnesium and copper were noticed maximum in 100% vermicompost concentration. However, the maximum phosphorus content was observed in the kernels collected from the plants grown in 75% vermicompost concentration. The present investigation revealed that the level of sodium, calcium, iron and zinc level increased up to 50% vermicompost concentration and thereafter, the level decreased in accordance with increasing vermicompost concentration. Similarly, the level of potassium, magnesium and copper increased up to 100% vermicompost concentration. However, the level of phosphorus rose up to 75% vermicompost concentration.