Variability of the chemical composition of commercial vermicomposts

Variability of the chemical composition of commercial vermicomposts

Eduardo Gonçalves Xavier, Beatriz Simões Valente, Heron da Silva Pereira, Robson Andreazza, Mário Gomes Conill

The increase in consumption of healthier foods has improved the organic fertilizers market. Aspects related to research on its agronomic quality are important in order to ensure the public health as well as environmental preservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability of the chemical composition of commercial vermicompounds. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with five treatments, represented by samples V1 (commercial vermicompost S), V2 (commercial vermicompost SS), V3 (commercial vermicompost B), V4 (commercial vermicompost V) and V5 (commercial vermicompost A), each one with three replicates. The analyses of pH, total organic matter, ash, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon/nitrogen ratio and vermicompost mineralization index were performed in triplicate. The results showed that the commercialized vermicompost presents a great variability in their chemical composition and do not comply with the Brazilian organic fertilizer legislation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, regarding the total organic matter content and carbon/nitrogen ratio. The lack of information regarding the physical and chemical composition in the product packing is a promoter of the empirical application of vermicompost in farming and should be avoided.

2018

Agricultura orgânica, fertilizante orgânico, humus

10.18378/rvads.v13i4.5354

Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentável

Grupo Verde de Agroecologia e Abelhas (GVAA)

Agriculture (General), Geography. Anthropology. Recreation, Environmental sciences