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Nutrient Contribution and Release Kinetics of Vermicompost Amended Pine Bark |
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| Authors: | Michelle S. McGinnis Michael G. Wagger Stuart L. Warren Ted E. Bilderback |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina;2. N.C. Department of Agricultural &3. Consumer Services, Agronomic Services Division, Plant/Waste/Solution Analysis Section, Raleigh, North Carolina michelle.mcginnis@ncagr.gov;5. Department of Soil Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina;6. Kansas State University, Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources, Manhattan, Kansas;7. Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Abstract: | The composting of organic waste materials using earthworms yields the value-added product vermicompost (VC). The use of VC as a growing substrate amendment for containerized horticultural crop production is a sustainable nutrient management approach which can benefit crop production by providing plant nutrients and improving crop growth. In order to provide nutrient management guidelines for users of VC amended container substrates, a study was conducted to quantify nutrients supplied to substrates solution and to develop nutrient release kinetic models to predict plant available nutrient based on total initial loading rates. Experimental treatments and results were expressed on a volume basis (4-L container) for easy interpretation and application by growers of crops in containers. |
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