VERMIWASH & VERMI TEA DETAILS

"Earthworm is the pulse of the soil,

healthier the pulse healthier the soi

VERMIWASH

Foliar Sprays are a part of plant growing practices. Worm worked soils have burrows
formed by the earthworms. Bacteria richly inhabit these burrows, also called as the
drilospheres. Water passing through these passages washes the nutrients from these
burrows to the roots to be absorbed by the plants. This principle is applied in the
preparation of vermiwash. Vermiwash is a very good foliar spray.

SETTING UP OF A VERMIWASH UNIT

Vermiwash units can be set up either in barrels or in buckets or even in small
earthen pots. It is the principle that is important. The procedure explained here is
for setting up of a 250 litre barrel.

An empty barrel with one side open is taken. On the other side, a hole is made to
accommodate the vertical limb of a 'T' jointed tube in a way that about half to one
inch of the tube projects into the barrel. To one end of the horizontal limb is
attached a tap. The other end is kept closed. This serves as an emergency opening
to clean the 'T' jointed tube if it gets clogged. The entire unit is set up on a short
pedestal made of few bricks to facilitate easy collection of vermiwash.

Keeping the tap open, a 25 cm layer of broken bricks or pebbles is placed. A 25 cm

layer of coarse sand then follows the layer of bricks. Water is then made to flow
through these layers to enable the setting up of the basic filter unit. On top of this
layer is placed a 30 to 45 cm layer of loamy soil. It is moistened and into this are
introduced about 50 numbers each of the surface (epigeic) and sub-surface (anecic)
earthworms. Cattle dung pats and hay is placed on top of the soil layer and gently
moistened. The tap is kept open for the next 15 days. Water is added every day to
keep the unit moist.

On the 16th day, the tap is closed and on top of the unit a metal container or mud
pot perforated at the base as a sprinkler is suspended. 5 litres of water (the volume
of water taken in this container is one fiftieth of the size of the main container) is
poured into this container and allowed to gradually sprinkle on the barrel overnight.
This water percolates through the compost, the burrows of the earthworms and gets
collected at the base. The tap of the unit is opened the next day morning and the
vermiwash is collected. The tap is then closed and the suspended pot is refilled with
5 litres of water that evening to be collected again the following morning. Dung pats
and hay may be replaced periodically based on need. The entire set up may be
emptied and reset between 10 and 12 months of use.

Vermiwash is diluted with water (10%) before spraying. This has been found to be
very effective on several plants. If need be vermiwash may be mixed with cow's
urine and diluted (1 litre of vermiwash, 1 litre of cow's urine and 8 litres of water)
and sprayed on plants to function as an effecting foliar spray and pesticide.

VERMIWASH ANALYSIS REPORT

pH 7.48 0.03

Electro conductivity dS/m 0.25 0.03

Organic Carbon % 0.008 0.001

Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen % 0.010.005

Available Phosphate % 1.69 0.05

Potassium (ppm) 25 2

Sodium (ppm) 8 1

Calcium (ppm) 3 1

Copper (ppm) 0.01 0.001

Ferrous (ppm) 0.06 0.001

Magnesium (ppm) 158.44 23.42

Manganese (ppm) 0.58 0.040

Zinc (ppm) 0.02 0.001

Total Heterotrophs (CFU/ml) 1.79 x 103

Nitrosomonas (CFU/ml) 1.01 x 103

Nitrobacter (CFU/ml) 1.12 x 103

Total Fungi (CFU/ml) 1.46 x 103

Introduction
Vermiwash (VW) is a brownish-red liquid extract collected during vermicomposting of
organic waste. VW can also serve as a valuable foliar spray, because it is composed of
excretory products and mucus secretions from earthworms and micronutrients from the
organic molecules in the soil. These nutrients are absorbed and then transported to the leaves,
shoots, and other parts of a plant [1]. Various experimental results have shown that the
application of VW or compost tea improves plant health, yield, and nutritional
quality [2], [3]. Studies have shown that vermicompost tea contains plant growth-promoting
substances (e.g., humic, fulvic, and other organic acids [4]; auxin-like substances [5]; and
cytokinin-like substances [6]). A VW foliar spray is more advantageous from economical and
environmental perspectives owing to the absence of nutrient leaching, which is often
encountered when performing soil amendments.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the most widespread root fungal symbionts associated
with the vast majority of higher plants, have been shown to increase plant growth and yield
by improving nutrient uptake in various agroecosystems [7], [8]. In addition, AMF have been
reported to enhance stress tolerance in plants under severe stress conditions, including heavy
metal, drought, and salinity [9]. Although AMF species, typically, are considered
nonspecific, variations in the growth response of different plant genotypes to different AMF
species have been described [7], [8]. Such variation in the growth response, termed
mycorrhizal species sensitivity, implies that the mycorrhizal dependency of plants can also
vary [10]. The determination of plant growth responses under controlled conditions,
therefore, is a valuable first step in evaluating the importance of symbiotic relationships in
nature and understanding the dynamic interactions within an ecosystem [11].

In intensive agriculture systems, major emphasis has been placed on increasing the input of
nutrients through various approaches to achieve higher crop productivity, thus, leading to low
nutrient-use efficiency and increased environmental problems. The chemical and biological
processes that occur in the rhizosphere affect the mobilization and acquisition of soil
nutrients and microbial dynamics; they also control the nutrient-use efficiency of crops, and
therefore, profoundly influence crop productivity and sustainability [12]. Thus, researchers
indicate that it is necessary to maintain greater nutrient-use efficiency through the integration
of various approaches, including the combined use of organic amendments and chemical
fertilizers [13] or organic amendments and AMF [14], [15]. The majority of these studies
have provided empirical evidences on the usefulness of such approaches with regard to soil
amendments [13], [15]. However, to the best of our knowledge, no reports are available on
the effects of the combined use of VW, as a foliar spray, and AMF, as soil inoculants. In
addition, the influence of such amendment methods on each other could be exacerbated when
applied to acidic soils that have high phosphorus (P)-fixing power because of the excessive
presence of iron and aluminum ions, thus, resulting in low P availability for crop
production [16].

Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), and P are the major plant nutrients that are both structurally and
functionally essential to all organisms [17]. A mechanistic link between tissue elemental
stoichiometry (C:N:P per se) and the growth rate of an organism has been
suggested [18], [19]. P is a critical element in the production of ribosomes; ribosomes
manufacture N-rich proteins, which in turn, constitute the C and energy-harvesting
organs [20]. The growth rate hypothesis proposes that higher growth rates are associated with
lower C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Therefore, variations in the P levels in organisms are driven
by differences in the allocation of P-rich ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which is required to meet
the protein synthesis demands of increased growth rates [17], [18], [21]. Thus, the factors or
physiological changes that affect growth rates could result in differences in the C:N:P ratio of
biomass and cellular allocation [21]. The combined use of biological and organic
amendments may differentially affect a crop with respect to nutrient-use efficiency and C:N:P
stoichiometry, thus, affecting the potential benefits and limitations. For instance, the
excessive use of organic sources of P can result in the suppression of the AMF
community [22], thereby highlighting the significance of careful nutrient budgeting for
optimizing, rather than maximizing, soil fertility.

Crop management involves a range of practices that can affect AMF associations directly
(e.g., by damaging or killing AMF) and indirectly (e.g., by creating favorable or unfavorable
conditions for AMF) [23]. The organic sources of nutrients (e.g., farmyard manure, compost,
and crop residues) and slow release of mineral fertilizers (e.g., rock phosphate) do not
typically suppress AMF and may even stimulate their growth [24]. However, the overuse of
organic amendments, especially those high in P, such as chicken manure, may have a
negative influence on AMF, and the precise effect of the organic amendments has been
shown to be variable (i.e., dependent on the type of soil or amendment) [22]. Therefore, the
role and extent of the effects of a combination of organic and biological amendments on
crops should be investigated to obtain more precise data before such practices are
implemented in crop fields. Furthermore, it is imperative to determine the extent to which
organic amendments affect the response of a crop to different AMF species. The present
study was undertaken with the objective of determining the influence of a VW foliar spray on
mycorrhizal growth dependency and nutrient stoichiometry of bhut jolokia (Capsicum
assamicum) inoculated using two different AMF, in acidic soil under pot conditions. Bhut
jolokia is a highly pungent chili species native to the northeastern region of India and has
tremendous ethnopharmacological potential [25].

Materials and Methods

Plants, AMF and vermiwash

Three-week-old seedlings of bhut jolokia procured from a local nursery (M/s Lakshmi Agric.
Pabohi, District Sonitpur, Assam, India) were used in the pot experiment. The pure inocula of
two AMF (i.e., R. irregularis and G. mosseae) were supplied by The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI), New Delhi. The AMF bulk inoculum preparation was conducted in a
naturally ventilated greenhouse by sowing surface-sterilized maize (Zea mays L.) seeds in
earthen pots with an autoclaved soil:sand mixture (1:1, w/w). The substrate containing the
spores and root pieces served as the stock culture for AMF inoculum. The VW was prepared
from air-dried mixed waste (i.e. vegetable waste:paddy straw:water hyacinth; 1:1:1;)
according to the procedure suggested by Ismail [26] using a cylindrical metal container (30-
cm height 30-cm diameter). In brief, a tap was fixed on the lower side of the container. The
bottom of the container had a 5-cm layer of broken pebbles, followed by a 5-cm layer of
coarse sand. Air-dried mixed waste as mentioned above was put into the container as
substrate and one thousand earthworms (Eisenia fetida Savigny) were introduced into the
substrate. An appropriate level of moisture (60%) was maintained in the container by adding
water at regular intervals. During the VW preparation, the temperature and pH inside the
container ranged from 2932C and 7.07.3 respectively. The brown-colored watery extract
of earthworm-worked substrate was allowed to drain out of the container and used for foliar
spray on test crops. The physico-chemical composition of the VW is presented in Table 1.

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Table 1. Physico-chemical properties of the soil and vermiwash used in the study.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092318.t001

Pot experiment

The pot experiment was performed from 6 May to 5 August 2011, in a naturally ventilated
greenhouse at the Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur (2638N, 9248E), District
Sonitpur, Assam. Air-dried and sieved soil collected from the experimental field of the DRL
was used to fill earthen pots (3.5 kg pot1). The physico-chemical composition of the
experimental soil is presented in Table 1. Ten grams of mycorrhizal inoculum (containing 20
spores per g) of each AMF (i.e., R. irregularis and G. mosseae) was placed in each pot (2 cm
below the seed sowing level) and covered using soil. Initially, five seedlings were grown in
each pot, which were thinned to three at the start of the experiment. There were nine
replicates of each treatment with a randomized block design. The plants in the pots were
grown for 90 d in the greenhouse (temperature, 2735C; relative humidity, 7080%) under
natural illumination and watered (i.e., tap water) as needed.

Physico-chemical analysis of the soil and VW used in the experiment

The pH of diluted-water (1:5) sample was determined using a digital pH meter (Model PT10;
Sartorius AG, Germany). Electrical conductivity (EC) was determined using a conductivity
bridge (Model 306; Systronics, India). Organic carbon (OC) was estimated using the method
of Walkley and Black [27], by using 1N potassium dichromate and back-titrated using 0.5N
ferrous ammonium sulfate solution. Available nitrogen (N) was determined by Kjeldahl
method [28], by using an automatic nitrogen estimation apparatus (Model KelPlus Classic
DX VA; Pelican Equipments, Chennai, India). Available P was determined
spectrophotometrically in a 1M acidic ammonium fluoride solution [29]. Available potassium
(K) was measured by the ammonium acetate method [30] using a flame photometer (Model
FP114; Thermo Scientific, USA).

Plant growth parameters

Plants were uprooted after 90 d, and the data on vegetative growth, chlorophyll content
(SPAD), shoot nutrients, AMF colonization in the roots, and AMF spore count in
rhizospheric soil were recorded. Shoot and root dry matters were recorded after drying the
sample at 70C for 48 h. The relative amount of chlorophyll present in the leaves was
determined by measuring the transmittance of the leaf in two wave bands (i.e., 600700 nm
and 400500 nm) by using a SPAD Meter (SPAD 502 Plus; Konica Minolta, Japan). SPAD
values from the midpoint region near the midrib of five fully expanded leaf samples from a
single plant were taken at 1100 IST, and the mean value was calculated [31].

Shoot nutrients

For nutrient analysis of the shoots, the oven-dried samples were finely ground. Total N and C
in the shoots were determined using an elemental analyzer (EA3000, Eurovector, Italy). To
estimate the P, K, Na, and Ca levels in the shoots, 1 g of the finely ground sample was
subjected to a wet oxidation treatment using tri-acid (HNO3:H2SO4:HClO4; 10:1:4) digestion
in a digestion block (KELPLUS, KES12L; Pelican Equipments, Chennai, India) at 200C.
Following acid digestion, the samples were diluted and filtered for further nutrient analysis.
Total P in the shoots was determined by the vanadomolybdophosphoric acid colorimetric
method [32]using a spectrophotometer (Specord 200; Analytik Jena, Germany). Total shoot
Ca, Na, and K were measured by the ammonium acetate method of Hanway and Heidel [30],
by using a flame photometer (Model FP114; Thermo Scientific, USA). For estimating
mycorrhizal colonization, freshly collected roots were washed in water, cleaned using10%
KOH, acidified using 1N HCl, and stained in 0.05% trypan blue [33].

Mycorrhizal colonization and AMF spore count in rhizospheric soil

Quantification of root colonization for AMF was conducted using the gridline intersection
method [34], and 100 segments from each sample were observed under a compound
microscope (Leica DM750). Spores of AMF were extracted from the rhizospheric soil (50g
for each treatment) before and after experimentation using the wet-sieving and decanting
methods [35]. The total number of spores was estimated and the values were expressed
as x number of AMF spores per 50 g of soil.

Calculation of mycorrhizal dependency

Mycorrhizal dependency (MD) based on shoot dry matter was calculated according to the

formula suggested by van der Heijden [36] as given below:

Where a is the mean total shoot dry matter in a given treatment (AMF and/or VW], n is the
number of treatments, and b is the mean shoot dry matter of untreated plants. Similarly, the
nutrient dependencies were calculated, where the values of a given shoot nutrient were used
in place of the shoot dry matter in the above-mentioned formula.

Statistical analysis of the data

Means were compared by ANOVA, followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test.
Statistically significant differences were then determined at p = 0.05, using the software IBM
SPSS Statistics version 19.
Results
Mycorrhizal colonization and AMF spore count

Root colonization (RC) at the beginning of the experiment was 26.66%, which increased up
to 40% in the control plants following completion of the experiment. Furthermore,
comparisons of the control to the AMF- and VW-treated plants suggests a statistically
significant increase (p 0.05) in RC; 100% RC was recorded in all the plants receiving the
AMF treatments (Figure 1). Except for the single treatment with VW, there was no
statistically significant difference with respect to RC among the single and dual treatments.
Mycorrhizal spore count in the rhizospheric soil at the beginning of the experiment was 24.33
spores per 50 g1, which increased to 34.33 in the control following completion of the
experiment. Furthermore, a comparison of the control to the AMF- and VW-treated plants
revealed a significant increase (p 0.05) in spore count, except for the single treatment with
VW. Comparisons among the AMF treatments did not show significant differences with
respect to the spore count in the rhizospheric soil (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. The AMF colonization in the roots (A) and spore count in rhizospheric soil (B).
RI- Rhizophagus irregularis, GM- G. mosseae, VW- vermiwash. Values are means of nine
biological replicates. Bar shows standard error of mean (SEM). Different letters on the
column represent significant difference (p< 0.05) based on LSD test.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092318.g001

Plant growth parameters and nutrient uptake

The shoot dry matter (SDM), root dry matter (RDM), and chlorophyll content increased
significantly in the plants receiving single and combined treatments of AMF and VW in
comparison to the control. However, the RDM:SDM ratio in all treated plants decreased
significantly when compared to that in the control. Inoculations of RI increased the growth
values (SDM and RDM) more than those of GM, and this increase was statistically
significant. However, there were no significant differences between the RI and GM
treatments with respect to the chlorophyll content and the RDM:SDM ratio. The pattern of
growth observed for the three individual treatments followed the order RI>GM>VW. Overall,
the growth values increased significantly in the dual treatments when compared to those in
the single treatments. However, comparison of the RI and RI+VW treatments revealed a
significant increase only in the RDM. In addition, the VW treatment considerably influenced
the increase in growth of the plants exposed to dual treatments. The influence of VW on
growth was more prominent in the GM+VW treatment when compared to that in the RI+VW
treatment. With regard to the dual treatments, SDM, RDM, and chlorophyll content in the
plants was higher under the GM+VW treatment when compared to those in the RI+VW
treatment. However, a statistically significant difference in the growth parameters was noted
only for the RDM and chlorophyll content (Table 2).

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Table 2. Effect of foliar spray of vermiwash on response of inoculation of two different AM
fungi in Capsicum assamicum under pot conditions.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092318.t002

In comparison to the control plants, plants under single and combined treatments of AMF and
VW showed significantly higher nutrient (N, C, P, K, Na, and Ca in the shoots) uptake.
However, the concentration of N in the shoots of plants exposed to the single treatments of RI
and GM did not significantly differ from that in the control. A comparison between the RI-
and GM-inoculated plants indicated that the concentration of K in the shoots was
significantly higher in the RI-inoculated plants but, there were no significant differences in
the concentrations of the other shoot nutrients. The maximum concentration of K in the
shoots was observed in the plants receiving the VW treatment; this finding was statistically
significant when compared to the plants receiving the single AMF treatments. However, the
plants receiving the VW treatment had significantly lower P when compared to that in the
GM- and GI-treated plants. The maximum total C in the shoots was observed in the RI-
treated plants, followed by the GM- and VW -treated plants. However, among the single
treatments, a significant difference with respect to total C was found only between the RI-
and VW-treated plants. A comparison of the RI and RI+VW treatments revealed a significant
increase only in the K, Ca, and N contents in the shoots. However, all of the shoot nutrients
were significantly higher in the GM+VW-treated plants when compared to those in the GM-
treated plants. In addition, while comparing the VW treatment to the GM+VW and RI+VW
treatments, the uptake of all shoot nutrients was shown to increase significantly. However,
the concentration of N in the shoots of the VW-treated plants was not significantly different
from that of the RI+VW-treated plants. The uptake of C, K, and Ca in the shoots significantly
increased in the GM+VW-treated plants when compared to the RI+VW-treated plants (Table
2).

Mycorrhizal dependency

It was observed that the mycorrhizal growth dependency (MGD) of the RI-treated plants was
significantly higher than that of the GM-treated plants, followed by the VW-treated plants.
VW treatment significantly influenced the MGD in plants. The MGD of the RI treatment was
not significantly different from that of the RI+VW treatment. Nevertheless, MGD of the
GM+VW treatment was significantly higher than that of the RI treatment, followed by the
GM and VW treatments. Analysis of the AMF-VW growth inter-dependency for the dual
treatments in comparison to the individual treatments indicated that plants exposed to RI
treatment were more dependent on that AMF for growth, while the GM-treated plants were
dependent on both the GM and VW for growth (Figure 2).

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Figure 2. Mycorrhizal growth dependency of C. assamicum.
RI- Rhizophagus irregularis, GM- G. mosseae, VW- vermiwash. Values are means of nine
biological replicates. Bar shows SEM. Different letters on the column represent significant
difference (p < 0.05) based on LSD test.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092318.g002

The inoculation of VW considerably influenced shoot N, K, and C dependencies of the test

plants on two AMF, which was evident from the significantly variable response of the plants
to the AMF under the VW treatment. Overall, the N and K dependencies of the plants were
higher under the VW treatment when compared to those under the AMF treatment; the P, C,
and Na dependencies were higher under the AMF treatment when compared to those under
the VW treatment (Figure 3).

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Figure 3. Mycorrhizal shoot nutrient dependency of C. assamicum.
RI- Rhizophagus irregularis, GM- G. mosseae, VW- vermiwash. Values are means of nine
biological replicates. Bar shows SEM. Different letters on the column represent significant
difference (p < 0.05) based on LSD test.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092318.g003

Furthermore, shoot Ca under the VW treatment appeared to influence the plants response to
AMF. However, the response of shoot Ca to AMF had lesser prominence than that observed
for shoot N, K, and C. Overall, the nutrient dependency data indicate that, although the VW
treatment considerably influenced plant-AMF interactions, the RI treatment affected nutrient
dependencies to a lesser extent than that by the GM+VW treatment (Figure 3).

Nutrient stoichiometry

With regard to the individual treatments, both the RI- and GM-treated plants showed
significantly decreased shoot C:P and N:P ratios and an increased shoot Na:K ratio; however,
no significant effect on the C:N ratio was observed when compared to that in the control
(Figures 4b&c). The VW-treated plants showed a significant decrease only in the shoot C:N
and C:P ratios; there was no significant effect on the Na:K and N:P ratios when compared to
those in the control. In the dual treatments, both the GM+VW- and the RI+VW-treated plants
showed a significant decrease in the shoot C:P ratio, but there was no significant effect on the
stoichiometries of C:N and N:P when compared to those in the control. However, the shoot
Na:K ratio increased significantly only in the RI+VW treated plants when compared to that in
the control (Figure 4).

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Figure 4. Mycorrhizal nutrient stoichiometries of C. assamicum (A-D).
RI- Rhizophagus irregularis, GM- G. mosseae, VW- vermiwash. Values are means of nine
biological replicates. Bar shows SEM. Different letters on the column represent significant
difference (p <0.05) based on LSD test.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092318.g004
A comparison of single RI and GM treatments indicated that there were no significant
differences with respect to nutrient stoichiometry. However, a comparison of the RI and VW
treatments revealed significantly greater C:P and N:P ratios under the VW treatment and a
significantly greater Na:K ratio under the RI treatment. Similarly, the C:P and N:P ratios
were significantly greater under the VW treatment when compared to those under the GM
treatment; however, the Na:K ratio was significantly higher under the GM treatment.

A comparison between the single and dual treatments exhibited considerable and significant
variation in nutrient stoichiometry. The C:N ratio was significantly higher in the individual
AMF-treated plants when compared to the RI+VW-treated plants, whereas the N:P ratio was
significantly higher in the GM+VW-treated plants when compared to the individual AMF-
treated plants. On the other hand, the C:P ratio was significantly higher in the VW-treated
plants when compared to the AMF+VW-treated plants. With regard to the two dual
treatments, no significant differences were recorded across all nutrient stoichiometric
parameters. Overall, the VW application significantly influenced the pattern of nutrient
stoichiometry in the plants that were differentially subjected to the two AMF treatments
(Figure 4).

Discussion
Mycorrhizal colonization, plant growth, and nutrient uptake

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of a VW foliar spray on the
mycorrhizal growth dependency and nutrient stoichiometry of Capsicum
assamicum inoculated using two different AMF in acidic soil under pot conditions. Our
results suggest that 100% mycorrhizal colonization was achieved following completion of the
experiment, thus, indicating the positive response of C. assamicum to the inoculations of the
two different AMF. Although several studies have demonstrated differences in the responses
of mycorrhizae to crops [7], [8], [37], mycorrhizal colonization and spore count in
rhizospheric soil in the current study were not significantly different from the plants
inoculated using the two different fungi. Furthermore, the influence of the VW treatment on
mycorrhizal colonization could not be inferred as there was no significant difference between
the single and dual treatments.

Our results suggest that plant growth and nutrient uptake significantly increased under the
AMF and VW treatments, which is in agreement with earlier reports [2], [3], [7]. The positive
influence of the VW on plant growth, as observed in the current study, might be ascribed to
the presence of plant-growth-promoting substances in the VW, such as humic, fulvic, and
other organic acids [4]; auxin-like substances [5]; and cytokinin-like substances [6]. In
addition, the absorption of nutrient elements from water solutions applied to the leaves and
their beneficial physiological effects on plants have been previously reported [38]. The leaf
cuticle is a hydrophobic layer comprised of high molecular-weight biopolymers such as cutin
and suberins and hydrophobic C14C27 epiculticular waxes [39]. Further, recent
physiological studies have identified polar aqueous pores, which facilitate the absorption of
charged ions into the epidermal cells [40]. The foliar application of fertilizers has become
more prevalent agricultural crop production because it is more environmentally friendly when
compared to soil fertilization techniques [41].
In addition, in the current study, it was observed that the combined inoculation of AMF and
VW had a significantly more positive effect on plant growth and nutrient uptake. Several
studies have suggested that combined treatments of AMF and organic amendments may be
more beneficial, thus, indicating a positive interaction between these components [42], [43].
In our study, a synergistic interaction between AMF and VW treatments was observed, which
might have contributed to enhanced growth and nutrient uptake. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first study on the synergistic interaction of AMF and VW treatments in
chili plants.

Interestingly, the VW treatment influenced the extent of the increase in growth and nutrient
uptake in plants exposed to the dual treatments. The influence of the VW on the magnitude of
this increase was more prominent in the GM+VW treatment when compared to that in the
RI+VW treatment. It has been shown that the changes in crop growth and yield in response to
soil amendments could be the result of the differential effects of the types of amendment on
the proliferation of different AMF [44]. Although we did not conduct a microbiological
analysis of the VW used in the current study, it is well known that VW contains macro- and
micronutrients such as N, P, K, Ca, Fe, and Mn [3] and several beneficial microbes [45].
These properties of VW may have an indirect role in improving fertility and the physical and
chemical conditions of the soilless medium, thus, influencing nutrient availability and
contributing to the enhanced growth, yield, and antioxidant content of plants [13], [46].
However, the differential response of plants to the different treatment conditions, as observed
in the current study, requires further investigation to ascertain the underlying mechanisms.

Mycorrhizal dependency

Mycorrhizal dependency, which refers to the degree that a plant benefits from AMF
associations [47], has often been quantified by calculating the yield or shoot dry matter ratio
between mycorrhizal plants and control plants grown in a particular soil [37], [48]. In the
current study, we demonstrated that the application of VW significantly influenced
mycorrhizal dependency. It was also observed that the plants inoculated using RI+VW were
more dependent on the AMF for growth, while the GM+VW-treated plants were dependent
on both the GM and VW for growth. With respect to mycorrhizal nutrient dependency, the
VW treatment appeared to influence plant responses to AMF, which was more prominent
with regard to shoot N, K, and C concentrations. This may be explained by the fact that the
AM symbiotic relationships and subsequent benefits to the host plant are affected by the
availability/limitation of nutrients [49]. Moreover, it has been well documented that the
symbiotic relationship between AMF and the host plants is not specific; however, under
stress, there may be combinations of AMhost plants that are more beneficial for
growth [50]. In the current study, nutrient supplementation in the form of foliar spray may
have modified the degree of functional plantAMF associations in acidic soil, which requires
further exploration for ascertaining the underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, greater K
dependency was observed in VW-treated plants when compared to that in AMF-treated
plants, which was shown to increase significantly in the dual treatments. It has been well
established that K plays a key role in osmoregulation, stomatal regulation, photosynthesis,
and cell extension [37]. In addition, higher K uptake can help mitigate salt stress in
plants [51]. Therefore, it can be assumed that the application of VW in combination with
AMF may be more beneficial to chili crops grown under conditions of salt stress.

Nutrient stoichiometry
Ecological stoichiometry is the study of the mass balance of multiple chemical elements in
living systems [18], [52], which has implications for nutrient cycling, and the functioning of
living organisms and communities of organisms in aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems [17], [53]. The importance of the relative proportions of elements essential for the
growth performance of plants has long been known to the farmers. However, there is
considerable variability with regard to the optimal ratios for the observed values [20]; thus,
its significance has not been widely appreciated among applied researchers. The most
investigated relationshiphas been that of C:N:P because N and P commonly limit
growth [54]. In addition, while C provides the structural basis for plants, it constitutes a stable
percentage (i.e., 50%) of a plants dry mass andcan act as a limiting element. These three
elements are strongly coupled by their biochemical functions [20]. In the current study, the
C:P ratio significantly decreased in all treated plants when compared to that in the control.
Similar findings have been reported by Guo et al. [55] in maize plants inoculated using G.
mosseae and G. versiforme. In our study, comparisons among the single treatments revealed
significantly greater C:P and N:P ratios under the VW treatment when compared to those
under the AMF treatment. This pattern indicates that there was an increase in the uptake of N
and a decrease in the uptake of P in the plants treated using VW when compared to those
treated using the AMF. The pattern of change in the N:P ratio has been reported as a
consequence of AMF-dependent modifications in plant and soil nutrient relations [56].
However, in the current study, the VW treatment appeared to contribute more N to plants
when compared to the AMF treatment, thus, leading to changes in the C:N:P stoichiometry of
the plant shoots. This pattern was also supported by the fact that the N:P ratio significantly
increased using the dual treatments when compared to that in the single treatments of the two
AMF. N is an essential component of all enzymes and P is necessary for rRNA
synthesis [57]. Therefore, it is likely that the consequential changes in N and P concentrations
will affect the allocation of nutrients to a plants cellular components, life history strategies,
and physiological functions [58]. This could partially explain our findings indicating that the
shoot dry matter and shoot P were not significantly affected in the VW- and GM-treated
plants, whereas shoot N was significantly higher in the VW-treated plants. Overall, there was
considerable variation in the C:N:P stoichiometry of plants receiving the single and dual
treatments, thus, indicating the possible effects of VW on plants. However, further detailed
studies on nutrient acquisition mechanisms from different sources are required to clearly
understand nutrient stoichiometry in plants.

Conclusions
Overall, the present study clearly indicates that the foliar spray of C. assamicum with VW
and AMF inoculation in the soil improves plant growth and nutrient uptake under pot
conditions. In addition, when combined with AMF treatment, the VW foliar spray
significantly and differentially influences the growth and nutrient stoichiometry of plants.
The influence of the VW treatment was more pronounced using the GM+VW treatment when
compared to that of the RI+VW treatment. Interestingly, the VW treatment appeared to
contribute more N to plants than that under the AMF treatment, thus, leading to changes in
the C:N:P stoichiometry of the plant shoots. Furthermore, increased K dependency observed
under the dual treatments suggests the significance of these treatments in improving crop
growth under salt stress. These findings have important implications for selecting effective
nutrient sources for crop growth. Future studies, by using advanced techniques such as
continuous flow-isotope ratio mass spectrometry, are necessary for investigating the nutrient
acquisition mechanisms of plants from different sources and for further precise understanding
of the patterns observed in the current study.
 T HE S OLANA C ENTER C OMPOSTER
Worm Tea Spigot to Garden
September 1, 2010 by Solana Center

Do you own a Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin or a worm bin in general and wonder what the liquid that forms in the

bottom tray is? It is worm tea, sometimes it is also called worm castings or vermiwash. You may not be aware

but there are numerous benefits of using worm tea in your soil. Worm tea is a natural fertilizer which is used to

promote the growth of plants. If you own a wriggly wranch bin, worm tea forms in the bottom tray that can be

drained from the spigot. If you are a gardening enthusiast, you can use worm tea to replenish the soil with

nutrients and protect plants from many plant diseases.

Worm tea has the same benefits as worm castings, but in liquid form. Castings are produced when worms break

down the organic matter in the soil. It is also called worm manure or worm humus. These castings are present

in the worm beds. When you run water through these castings, nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium and

magnesium are picked up. The process of harvesting worm castings is called vermicomposting.

How to Make Worm Tea

For making worm tea, you will need a large bin or worm compost bin, such as the Wiggly Wranch bin. The bottom

tray should have a drainage spout and holes for aeration. Soak a handful of worm castings in at least 5 liters of

warm water. Allow the castings to soak for a couple of days. Next

add a teaspoon of molasses (optional). Molasses will promote the growth of micro-organisms. If you feed your

worms a balanced diet such as fruits and vegetables (no meat or dairy) they will produce the best castings and

worm tea.

The water must be chlorine free because chlorine will destroy the good bacteria. To help conserve water, rain

water is a good source of unchlorinated water to use. Pete Ash, an experienced gardener, long time master

composter, and organic farming and gardening teacher, crafts a tea bag of the compost and vermicompost to

soak in water. He suggests using an aquarium pump to keep the water aerated to stimulate micro-organism

growth. Pete says, The idea is to wash the microbes out of the compost into the water; adding a simple starch or
 sugar to the brew to feed the bacteria that are breeding. Use the wash water from rice rather then washing it

down the drain.

How to Use Worm Tea

The best way to use worm tea is to dilute it. Pete owns a few Wriggly Wranch bins. He dilutes the worm tea with

4 to 6 parts water (or more) for foliar spray applications. He also recommends using the tea within a couple of

days and as it accumulates it may spoil. It is not clear to anyone how long worm tea should brew for, but if it

smells bad you should not use it. Pete harvests his castings regularly because the mucus can build up along with

bacteria and can actually become toxic for the worms. As Pete says, No one likes to live in their own feces.

Benefits of Worm Tea

Worm tea and compost is excellent for a garden. Pete uses worm tea as a foliar spray and compost tea as a field

spray. There are many, many uses for worm tea. Here are a few ways to use worm tea to grow healthy fruits and

vegetables:
Use worm tea as an inoculant for potting soil. The nutrients in worm tea help seedlings grow strong. It is
suggested that inoculation should be done two weeks before you plant your seedling.
Plants that are grown with worm tea are healthier. Worm tea has many nutrients of food and medicine the
plant needs to thrive. Plants grown with worm tea are also more nutritious than plants grown in soil treated
with chemical fertilizer.
Worm tea also helps recover polluted soil. If you repeat the worm tea applications, the microbes will
convert and metabolize organic and inorganic chemicals. The worm tea will help sequester the heavy
metals found in chemicals.
Sometimes lawns can become sterile due to chemical treatment. Worm tea will repopulate the soil with
microbes, enrich the roots and break down the thatch turning it into food for grass.
During hot summer days, worm tea can help retain water in soil.
If you decide to use worm tea as a foliar spray, it will help your plants produce more foliage and larger
stems. This greatly helps plants that are lacking enough sun.
You may also add worm tea to a compost pile to speed-up the break-down process.
By using worm tea, you can help the environment by reducing and even eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers

that can cause water pollution. Studies show an average American family produces a ton of waste each year.

The estimate is 1/3 or of household waste is organic matter (kitchen waste). If you vermicompost, you will

reduce the amount of organic matter that ends up in landfills, help mitigate global warming and make nitrogen-

rich organic fertilizer and worm tea for yourself. Vermicomposting is natures way of completing the recycling

loop. If you are interested in learning about the circle of lifethe circle of rot please refer to our March 2003

newsletter for a discussion of why you should compost, how this is improves healthy soil, which in turn creates

healthy vibrant plant life.

Vermicompost tea (VCT)
Lorinda Balfanz, Mary H. Meyer and Carl Rosen

Compost and compost tea

Compost is a mixture of decaying organic matter, usually made from leaves, grass
clippings, vegetable and fruit peels, manure and similar organic matter. Compost is used in
gardening to improve soil structure, and in most cases provide nutrients. Compost tea (CT)
is a liquid derived from soaking and or brewing compost in water and is used as a foliar and
soil application to plants.

What is vermicompost tea and how does it work?

Vermicompost is compost that has been digested by worms (vermi). Vermicompost does
not need to be turned, because worms "turn" the organic matter in their digestive tract,
eliminating work for gardeners. Like compost, vermicompost is used to improve soil structure
and provide nutrients for plant growth. Vermicompost tea (VCT) is a specific type of
compost tea derived from soaking or brewing vermicompost in water.
VCT contains beneficial microbes that may also reduce or control diseases and improve soil
health (Jack and Thies, 2006; Lowenfels, et al. 2006). Studies also indicate that VCT has a
positive effect on suppressing tomato diseases (Zaller, 2006). Effects of VCT on turf are
inconclusive, but studies indicate a decrease in certain turf diseases (such as microdochium
patch) with regular applications of VCT (Conforti, et. al., 2002).

What nutrients can I expect in VCT?

VCT nutrients will vary based on the vermicompost source materials and the brewing
techniques. VCT can contain the three basic plant nutrients: nitrogen in the form of nitrate or
ammonium (N03 and NH4); phosphorus (P); and potassium (K). One analysis of VCT brewed
at a 1:10 ratio showed on average: nitrate (NO3) at 77 ppm (parts per million) ; ammonium
(NH4) at 3.7 ppm; P at 18 ppm; and K at 186 ppm (Balfanz, 2010). These are low amounts,
and at least from this one study, VCT has been shown as a low source of nutrients.

How to make your own VCT

You can make or brew VCT yourself with minimal investment. Equipment needed is a large
clean bucket, nylon material (such as nylon stockings) for holding the compost;
vermicompost (or regular compost if you don't have access to vermicompost); a stick or
dowel, an aquarium pump and water. The nylon material is necessary to submerge the
vermicompost in the water, similar to a tea-bag. (The nylon keeps the vermicompost
particles from leaching into the water which could clog sprayers or watering cans). An
aquarium pump provides aeration as the tea is brewing. Aquarium pumps can be purchased
at many pet stores (the size pump depends on the amount of tea you will be brewing) for 10
gallons use a Top Fin XP-10 pump.

Steps to making VCT:

 1. Fill a bucket with tap water and let sit for 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate.
2. Place the aerator tip into the bucket of water and turn on the aerator for at least 2 hours
before you add the compost. Aeration should take place before adding vermicompost to
the water to increase oxygen levels in the water and reduce chlorine levels that are can
be harmful to beneficial microbes. If the compost tea does not contain enough oxygen it
will smell foul and can be harmful to plants.
3. Measure vermicompost to achieve desired solid to water ratio. A good ratio is 1 part
compost to 10 parts water. For example for a gallon of water (128 ounces), use 13
ounces of compost (about 1 cups).
4. Transfer measured vermicompost into nylon.
5. Tie off nylon, so the vermicompost is submerged in water, but can easily be removed.
6. Remove the aerator and place the stick or dowel over the top of the bucket and tie the
nylon filled with vermicompost to the dowel so it will be suspended in the bucket of
water (and be easier to remove when you're done brewing your vermicompost tea).
Replace the aerator.
Place the brewing VCT in a shaded area out of direct sunlight. Keep the VCT at
temperatures between 60 and 80 F. A garage works well, since the tea will be away
from sunlight, at an even temperature, and away from leaves and other debris that may
fall into the tea.
7. Write down the time/date you started brewing.
8. After 48 hours of brewing, remove the vermicompost. (The water should have a yellow-
brown color).
9. Transfer the freshly brewed vermicompost tea into a watering can, sprayer, or other
application device.
10. Apply the vermicompost tea within 4 to 5 hours of brewing, otherwise the microbes will
die and the tea will smell very foul.

Purchasing CT or VCT kits

For the non-do-it yourselfer, Compost Tea kits are available that can be purchased online or
at gardening centers. Most kits include the following equipment: compost or vermicompost,
bucket, aerator, material to strain the tea and instructions. You can also purchase brewing
kits on-line; one example is Keep it Simple, Inc.

Applying CT or VCT to your garden

Compost tea is typically applied using a backpack sprayer or watering can. If using a
backpack sprayer, the tea needs to be filtered (a coffee filter works well) before transferring it
to the sprayer. When applying VCT, try to cover the plant completely. For soil drenches, the
tea should be applied so that it reaches the plant's root zone. In general, applying 5 gallons
of CT or VCT per 1,000 sq ft is a good rule of thumb. Since the nutrient value of compost tea
is usually quite small, the rate may be increased depending on the plant's response.
Apply VCT early in the day, to allow the foliage to dry before night, which reduces the
chance of foliar diseases. For disease suppression on fruits, vegetables and ornamentals,
applications can be made as often as every 5 to ten days. For turf areas, weekly or bi-weekly
applications may be needed for areas of high maintenance or if diseases are present.
Because of unknown bacterial levels, it is not recommended to apply CT or VCT to fruits or
vegetables.
VCT tips
The VCT should have a good earthy smell. If it smells foul do not use the tea since it may
contain harmful bacteria that may damage plants (Lowenfels, et al. 2006).
Professional maintenance firms using VCT or any CT should have regular, at least annual,
nutrient analysis of the tea prior to application in order to prevent potential plant damage.
Nutrient testing is conducted at several universities - look on-line for one in your area.
Microbial content can also be analyzed. If you choose to purchase a VCT kit from a
company they should provide regular microbial test results. If making tea yourself, you can
have microbial analysis tests conducted through the professional laboratories such as soil
food web or BBC laboratories.

Vermi T Solution

VermiT Solution contains Vermicrop Organics pure worm castings and a very
specific mix of other rich ingredients. VermiT is extracted on location at your
favorite hydro store. The process produces a fresh, beautiful solution. VermiT was
created as a supplement to Vermicrops founders gardens. After years of trial and
error experimentation we developed a microbial tea with diverse humic matters
and the finest food sources all sourced locally or from the best manufactures
 available. VermiT is the predecessor to Vermicrop Organics the real-life success
of that one product launched our company.

Directions for use:

Soil: Add VermiT at a 50:1 dilution ratio. This equates to 5tbsp or 75ml or 1/3 cup
of VermiT per gallon of water. Apply directly to medium. For optimal results
reintroduce VermiT to your garden every 7-10 days.

Soilless/Hydroponics: Add to your reservoir with nutrients at at 50:1 dilution ratio

(if you have a drain to waste system simply dilute and top water). This will help
digest the nutrients making the readily available for root uptake. Works great
breaking down nutrient lock-out of salt-based synthetic fertilizers and thrives with
organic fertilizers. Make sure to change your reservoir every 7-10 days.
Completely non-sedimental! Won't clog your filters, emitters or pumps!

Foliar: Add VermiT at a rate of (10tbsp) 150 ml per gallon of water. Apply at a
minimum of 70% coverage to foliage, stem and stalk. For optimal results
reintroduce VermiT to your garden every 7-10 days.

Note: VermiT must be diluted, applied or refrigerated immediately after extraction.

This will prolong shelf life from 24 hours to 7-10 days. DO NOT use after
expiration or with foul odor.

BioExtractor

This new revolutionary tea brewing process is used to multiply beneficial micro
organisms through the recirculation and injection of highly aerated water into a
Vermi T Bio-Cartridge. This extractor can be used with the Vermi T 5 or 10 gallon
cartridges. Just drop Vermi T cartridge into slot, fill to the appropriate water line
and 24 hours later you have fresh brewed compost tea! Typically a compost tea
 must be used immediately after brewing. Unlike most compost teas our research
and development team has found that by culturing a consistent, correct balance of
biology and immediately refrigerating the fresh extracted solution, Vermi T will
maintain 100% viability for 7 to 10 days.
VermiLife

VermiLife is the foundation of any good compost tea. VermiWorm Premium

Worm Castings are combined with Alaskan Humus at a specific ratio tested by
industry leaders. We then fortify the mixture with Fossilized Kelp to increase
calcium levels. Finally a proprietary method of inoculation is used to add liquid
compost concentrate to the blend. Scoop VermiLife into your extraction bag as
indicated and go get your bucket of VermiFeast.

Directions for use:

Use sixteen cups of VermiLife as a foundation for every 100 gallons of compost
tea desired.
For best results use VermiFeast as your compost tea food source.
Analysis
0.61-0.23-0.12
Total Nitrogen (N) 0.61%
0.0085% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
0.020% Nitrate Nitrogen
0.036% Other Water Soluble Nitrogen
0.55% Water Insoluble Nitrogen
Available Phosphate (P2O5) 0.23%
Soluble Potash (K2O) 0.12%
Derived from: Earthworm Castings, Humus, Kelp, Compost, and Colloidal Clay
 http://www.wikihow.com/Make-
Worm-Castings-Tea
wikiHow to Make Worm Castings
Tea
Worm tea may not sound too appetizing but your plants will really love it. You can
buy this amazing fertilizer from a number of online sites but if you have a worm bin,
you can make your own. Worm tea lets you fertilize without adding bulk to your soil
and water your garden with something really "nutritious" for your plants. Your garden
will practically jump up and shout "Hallelujah!" when fertilized with worm castings
tea, and you will be amazed at the growth and flowering that results.

Ingredients

2 cups of well composted worm castings (no large scraps, preferably sifted)

2 tablespoons of corn syrup or unsulphured molasses

Water which has been left to stand overnight or rainwater.

1.

1
Fill a 5-gallon bucket with water. Either use rainwater or let the water stand so the chlorine
can evaporate out. You don't want to kill the beneficial micro-organisms, which is the point of
municipal chlorine. Using a bubbler will speed up the release of Cl- ions from the water,
cutting down the time the water needs to stand.

2.

2
Add the corn syrup or molasses to the water. This will serve as food for the micro-
organisms. It helps to dissolve the molasses in a small volume (like half a cup) of hot water
before adding it to the bucket. This prevents potential obstruction of your air bubblers.
3.

3
Place castings in the bucket by either:

putting the castings into a thin mesh "teabag" of pantyhose or a similarly sheer sock and
knotting the end. The knotted end of the bag can be hung down and submerged so the tea
bag is situated above the rising bubbles. Some simply dump the teabag in.
putting the castings directly in the bucket (with no tea bag) if you plan to use a watering can
anyway, otherwise, straining through cheesecloth or mesh may be necessary when using
backpack-type sprayer with nozzles that could clog easily with debris and detritus.
4.

4
Realize the grade or particle sizes of your choice of castings (determined by source
and packaging process) play a role in making this choice. Casting particles in sizes
larger than marbles, or even bark mulch. Others are finely ground castings, smaller than ball
bearings. The difference in total surface area exposed to water is much larger for the finely
ground which has more exposure to the aerated water.

5.

5
Put the worm castings in directly into the bucket. Some people say put the castings in
an old sock or stocking hose that has no holes and tie the opening closed. This does not
allow the castings to exchange into the water freely and slows the growth of the micro
critters. Both ways give satisfactory results with the castings right in the water. Also, slime
mould formations which are micro critter super colonies, may form. This shows the intense
populations of tea made this way. You can use a plastic watering can without the strainer on
the end and apply the tea in total - castings and all.

6.

6
Use a bubbler like an aquarium pump and air stone if you have one. Place it in the the
bucket and hold the air stone to the bottom with a rock. Plug in the bubbler so the the water
is aerated.
7.

7
Let water and castings bubble (or at least soak) for 24 hours. If you don't have a
bubbler, consider stirring occasionally- don't worry you cannot hurt the micro critters
(microbes) by stirring. The air stone at the bottom of the bucket will cause the tea to be in
constant mix - this is the best way to get a high yield tea.

8.

8
To produce high yield tea, conditions should be desirable for the microbes to
proliferate, multiplying exponentially. The microorganisms from the digestive system of
the worm are extruded in their castings. These aerobic (oxygen-dependent) microbes are
"good" microbes for plants (nature's way). Bad microbes are typically anaerobic (oxygen kills
them) and many give off offensive odors as they release byproducts of metabolism like
hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell). Aerating the tea improves conditions (agitation,
circulation, aeration) for the good microbes, which enhance (survival, reproduction, growth).
Aeration helps suppress the presence or growth of bad "bugs" that will compete against the
good ones. Use of a bubbler helps along dissolution of the molasses food as well; it
dissolves and diffuses more rapidly. Some instructions for tea setups without a bubbler
recommend up to three days of brewing.

9.

9
Use within 48 hours. Exponential populations in limited spaces eventually peak and then
plunge with massive population loss. We want the tea to be biologically active, alive, with
good microbes like Bacillus subtilis. To avoid losing the beneficial microorganisms you
created, use the worm compost tea as soon as possible.

10.

10
Refrigerate (in a sealed, labeled container) for up to 3 days. Non-pleasing odors from the
tea after initial brewing or prolonged refrigeration may signal a low quality brew which should
probably be dumped. This could be added to a composter or wormery to prevent waste.
 Community Q&A
I'm wondering about using worm tea as a fertilizer for hydroponics. If I just want the
nutrients from the tea and not the microbes, can it be sterilized and retain good
nutrient levels?
wikiHow Contributor

There is almost no macro nutrient content to worm casting tea. For hydro gardening you'll
need to add nutrients from another source. Worm casting tea adds microbes to the soil or
solution, which helps break down the soil, making the nutrients readily available to the
plants.

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 13

Is it beneficial to plants?
wikiHow Contributor

Yes. I have had success that surpasses "fake nutrients" or chemical fertilizers. For a science
project, my 6th grader son compared regular soil for planting 30 violas to 30 viola plants
planted in the same top soil with liquid fertilizer bought at a 'garden' store to worm casting
tea with the same top soil and 30 more violas. The 30 violas with the worm casting tea had
80% more flowers and were an inch to a 1/2 inch larger.

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8

How much water should I add to my five gallons of worm tea to spray one acre?
wikiHow Contributor

None - use it pure. You don't want to dilute because the more microbes that reach each leaf,
the better the result.

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3

Unanswered Questions

Is this good for pecan trees?

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cups of worm castings?

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Tips
If using an old sock, it may need washing. "Bad," anaerobic microbes may be present (such
as those which produce bad foot odor).

If making tea mid season, sources of phosphorus, like bat guano can be added to boost
flowering and fruiting if worm cast tea will be a main source of feeding your soil.

Some people recommend adding epsom salts (magnesium sulfate and calcium) at 1 tsp to 1
Tbsp per gallon, which can help soften up rigid soil.

For the same reason, you should always use water that is chlorine free. rainwater is best but
you can also let the water in the bucket stand overnight and the chlorine will dissipate.

Castings tea must be "brewed" (allowed to set or "steep") as directed above to be most
effective. By steeping the castings and aerating the mixture you encourage the growth of
micro-organisms which are beneficial to plants.

Warnings
Worm tea is extremely poisonous to cats and apparently somewhat desirable - do not leave
out uncovered

Juice that drips from the bottom of the worm bin is "leachate" and most likely full of
unhealthy anaerobic bacteria (hence the horrible smell). It is not worm tea!

Remember that water and electricity don't mix well. Dry your hands before you plug in
anything.

Worm tea is not for human or animal ingestion -- just give it to your garden!

Things You'll Need

 5 gallon (18.9 L) bucket

Aquarium pump, airline, and bubbler stone (optional)

a blog on raising african nightcrawler earthworms for home vermicomposting, organic urban
gardening, and the uses of biolant beneficial microorganisms
Home
Earthworms for Sale
Beneficial Microorganisms
Knockout Foul Odors with Biolant BM!
June 10, 2010

Vermicompost Tea: Brew Effective Micro-organisms Using

Vermicompost - Part 1
VERMICOMPOST TEA (or VERMITEA) is the liquid extract from fermented vermicompost. Vermitea
is an excellent organic fertilizer and pesticide. This is due to the presence of beneficial
microorganisms in the tea. "The vermi teas had about one-third of the microbial activity and
diversity of the solid vermicompost, volume to volume." (Arancon, et al, 2007).

Since it is in liquid form, vermitea can be used as an organic foliar fertilizer. Spraying also allows
plants to benefit from the pesticidal properties of vermitea. Apart from inhibiting arthropod pests like
aphids and spider mites, vermicompost tea suppresses plant diseases (ex. Pythium) and plant
parasitic nematodes (ex. root knot nematodes).

Vermitea is also an excellent plant growth promoter and soil ammendment. According to soil
scientists, using vermitea produces major growth differences between plants grown on soil and water
and those grown on soil and vermitea. "The presence of plant growth regulators in the teas...can
influence plant growth significantly independent of nutrient availability." (Arancon, et al, 2007)

Experience the benefits of vermitea by using the following recipe.

HOW TO MAKE VERMITEA

Materials Needed:
Chlorine-free water --> 20 parts
Vermicompost --> 1 part
Molasses or brown sugar --> 6/10 part
Measuring Cup (1 Liter)
powerhead pump or air pump(used to aerate aquariums)
24 liter plastic pail with lid
funnel
cheesecloth bag/used sock/pantyhose or pillowcase
Procedure:
1. Fill pail with 20 liters of chlorine-free water.
2. Add 600mL molasses or brown sugar in the water and mix well until molasses is fully diluted.
3. Attach the powerhead pump inside the pail. The outlet should be submerged just right below the
water's surface. Once securely attached, switch on the powerhead.
4. Put 1 liter vermicompost in cheesecloth bag (or used sock, etc). Tie with a string. The string should
be long enough to facilitate drawing out the bag from the liquid after fermentation, just like green tea!
5. Submerge the bag containing vermicompost in the water.
6. Put the lid on to prevent dust, insects, etc from contaminating the mixture.
7. Ferment the mixture for 48 hours.
After 48 Hours
8. Test the mixture for bad odors. The vermicompost tea should have a pleasant, earthy
smell. We want our vermitea to be aerobic. An awful smell means that anaerobic bacteria have taken
over the mixture and should be discarded directly into a drain pipe.
9. Pull out the cheesecloth bag and the power head. The remaining liquid is our vermitea, an organic
foliar fertilizer and pesticide.
10. Use a funnel to transfer the liquid into a sprayer. Spray immediately. Adding mild dish-washing
liquid helps the vermitea adhere to plant leaves.Do not store the liquid.
NOTES:
* The volume:volume ratios of vermicompost to water used by Arancon, et al, were:1:5 (20%); 1:10
(10%); 1:20 (5%). I am suggesting a 5% dilution to save on solid vermicompost.
 Benefits
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Positive Effects of Vermicompost Teas

Effects Of Vermicompost Teas On Plant Growth And
Disease
May 31, 2006
By Scott Greytak, Clive Edwards and Norman Arancon
BioCycle Magazine
There is an urgent need to standardize compost and vermicompost tea production
methods and application rates as far as possible to increase their effectiveness, avoid
adverse effects and decrease human and environmental potential hazards. Until recently,
a research at Ohio State University has addressed primarily the effects of solid
vermicomposts on plant germination and growth and the suppression of plant diseases.
During the last year, the researchers have extended their research into similar studies of
the effects of aqueous vermicompost extracts or teas on plant growth and plant
diseases. Preliminary research has demonstrated clearly that teas produced with
aeration are much more stable and effective than those produced without aeration.
Recent research in their laboratory has demonstrated clearly that solid vermicomposts
also can suppress a range of plant diseases such as Pythium on radishes and Rhizoctonia
on cucumbers in the greenhouse.
Beneficial response may be due to plant growth regulators or hormones produced by the
high microbial activity in vermicomposts.
There is an urgent need to standardize compost and vermicompost tea production
methods and application rates as far as possible to increase their effectiveness, avoid
adverse effects and decrease human and environmental potential hazards. Most of the
evidence on their effectiveness in plant growth enhancement or disease suppression is
anecdotal. There have been few well-designed experimental trials or scientific reports
that assess their effectiveness or focus on finding optimal production methods or
application rates. There are also very few reports on possible mechanisms by which they
promote plant growth or suppress plant diseases.
Figure 1. Germination of tomatoes to the seedling stage in response to vermicompost
tea applications in the greenhouse
Figure 2. Growth of tomatoes after six weeks in response to regular vermicompost tea
applications to plants growing MM360 in the greenhouse
Figure 3. Growth of tomatoes measured in terms of leaf area in response to regular
vermicompost tea applications to plants growing in MM360 in the greenhouse
PRODUCTION OF VERMICOMPOST TEAS
Until recently, our research at Ohio State University has addressed primarily the effects
of solid vermicomposts on plant germination and growth and the suppression of plant
diseases. During the last year, we have extended our research into similar studies of the
effects of aqueous vermicompost extracts or teas on plant growth and plant diseases.
Preliminary research has demonstrated clearly that teas produced with aeration are
much more stable and effective than those produced without aeration. The teas were
produced by standing 1 liter of vermicompost in 4-liters of aerated water for 24 hours
before draining it off and placing it in containers for use in greenhouse trials. We
produced a range of dilutions with tap water before testing them on the germination and
growth of test plant species in the laboratory and greenhouse.
For the actual trial, the effects of a range of concentrations of teas produced from cattle
waste vermicomposts were tested on the germination and growth of tomatoes. All plants
(control and with tea applied) were grown in a soil-less bedding medium (Metro Mix
360). In addition, all of the treatments received saturation amounts of nutrients. All of
the concentrations used, down to even as low as 0.5 percent, increased the germination
and growth of tomato plants significantly over that in the MM 360 with no tea
applications (Figures 1, 2 and 3). In the first set of experiments, vermicompost teas
were prepared with a dilution range of 0.5 to 10 percent. Teas were applied to tomato
trays at transplanting, and then twice weekly for eight weeks. Fresh teas were prepared
for each application.
EFFECTS ON GERMINATION AND GROWTH
Several possible mechanisms could explain the increases in growth of tomatoes. Teas
from vermicomposts could possess some of the same beneficial microbiological and
chemical characteristics of solid vermicomposts. During the brewing process, soluble
mineral nutrients, beneficial microorganisms, humic and fulvic acids, plant growth
hormones and plant growth regulators known to be available in solid vermicompost
are probably extracted into the tea. These probable beneficial components could be the
key factors that affect plant growth positively. Although mineral nutrients may be
present in vermicompost tea, these could not be the main reasons for increases in
growth, since all of the tomato plants received all necessary nutrients. This leaves
microorganisms and plant growth regulators such as hormones, humic acids and fulvic
acids as the most probable mechanisms for growth increases of tomatoes.
In the past, we have demonstrated conclusively in several greenhouse experiments that
humic acids extracted from vermicompost can affect plant growth positively. Small
amounts, ranging from 250 to 500 mg dry humic acids per kg of a commercial growth
medium (MM360) were sufficient to produce significant increases in growth of tomatoes,
peppers, marigolds and strawberries. Additionally, humic acids from vermicomposts
produced superior growth compared with commercial humic acids when applied at the
same rate. Plant growth hormones, such as auxins, that could be dissolved during the
brewing period maybe responsible for the increases in growth. The tomato plants could
have benefited from either growth hormones or from hormones that had been adsorbed
onto humic acids during vermicomposting being passed into the teas. Since
microorganisms could pass into the teas during brewing, they could also have multiple
benefits on the plants.
PLANT DISEASE SUPPRESSION
We know much more about the effects of solid composts and vermicomposts on the
incidence of plant diseases than the effects of teas produced from composts and
vermicomposts. There are many reports in the literature of suppression of plant diseases
by traditional thermophilically-produced solid composts. Possible mechanisms for disease
suppression by composts that have been suggested include a general suppression of
pathogens based on competition by pathogens and other microorganisms for nutrients
and energy. More specific suppression mechanisms may be due to antagonisms between
pathogens and other microorganisms, competition for pathogen infection sites, or
destruction of pathogen propagules such as spores.
Recent research in our laboratory has demonstrated clearly that solid vermicomposts
also can suppress a range of plant diseases such as Pythium on radishes and Rhizoctonia
on cucumbers in the greenhouse. In addition, low field application rates of
vermicomposts suppressed Verticillium wilt on strawberries, Phomopsis and powdery
mildew on grapes and bacterial rot on cucumbers. The suppression was clearly microbial
since suppression properties of vermicomposts were lost after sterilization of the
vermicomposts.
In more recent experiments, we applied a range of dilutions of teas produced from cattle
waste vermicompost, to tomato plants infected with Verticillium wilt and assessed the
damage ratings after 14 days (Figure 4). All of the application rates of teas that were
 tested suppressed this plant disease significantly. If a broad range of microorganisms
from vermicomposts pass to teas, their applications into a disease-infested planting
medium or soil could suppress pathogen attacks by the mechanisms.
CAUTIONS AND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS
There may be potential human or environmental hazards from vermicompost teas,
particularly those prepared from animal wastes, due to the human pathogens such as
coliform bacteria, Salmonella, human enteric viruses, and helminth ova that they could
contain. This hazard could be multiplied if carbon substrates such as molasses or sugars
were added during their preparation. Such teas applied to soils as plant growth
stimulants or to suppress root dis eases would probably present few human hazards, but
they certainly would if used as foliar sprays on edible crops. As such, this should be
avoided at all costs, as has been recommended by the Compost Tea Task Force Report
to the National Organic Standards Board.
Figure 4. Suppression of Verticillium in tomato plants by the application of cattle waste
vermicompost teas to the foliage
Another factor to take into account is that the effects of vermicompost teas on plant
growth almost certainly may be due to plant growth regulators (PGRs) or hormones
produced by the high microbial activity in vermicomposts. Low application rates of PGRs
usually promote plant growth, but higher application rates can actually depress plant
growth, so it must be ensured that the dilutions used are tested critically to avoid such
adverse effects.
Preliminary research demonstrates that teas produced with aeration are much more
stable and effective than those produced without aeration.

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How to Make Compost Tea with Worm

Castings

Brew Worm Compost Tea using this Simple Vermicompost Tea Recipe
What is compost tea?
Compost tea is a tea made from steeping (or brewing) compost instead of
tea leaves. It isnt appetizing for you but your plants will love it! The
nutrients and beneficial microbes in the compost diffuse into the water
making liquid fertilizer for your plants. There are two ways to make
compost tea with worm castings: the basic method (simple steeping) or
the aerated, brewed version. This article will teach you a compost tea
recipe and instructions for both compost tea brewing methods.
What is vermicompost tea?
Vermicompost tea is simply compost tea with worm castings. It is
brewed using vermicompost (also called worm castings or worm poop)
as your compost instead of compost from a hot compost pile. Using your
vermicompost or vermicast to make worm compost tea is a great use of
your nutrient rich worm castings. Not yet worm composting at
home? Learn to start here or buy composting worms here.

Simple or Basic Worm Compost Tea Recipe

To make a batch of basic compost tea with worm castings, all you really
need to do is soak some vermicompost overnight in water. I prefer to use
something as a makeshift tea bag because it makes it less messy but it is
not necessary. Here is the basic worm compost tea recipe that I use.
 Find something to use as a compost tea bag (old t-shirt, panty hose,
cheese clothe, etc). For more about compost tea bags read: What to
use as a Compost Tea Bag
Fill your homemade tea bag with worm compost and tie off the open
end of the tea bag somehow.
Submerge the worm compost tea bag in a bucket of water. I use a 5
gallon bucket but any size bucket will work.
Let it sit overnight. In the morning the water should be light brown.
Because the beneficial microbes in the worm compost tea will start to
die off, water your garden first thing in the morning for best results.
Remove the worm compost tea bag from the bucket, cut it open and
add the worm compost either to your garden, your worm compost bin,
or your hot compost pile.
Aerated, Brewed Worm Compost Tea Recipe

A Handful of Vermicompost
To brew a batch of aerated worm compost tea, you will do roughly the
same procedure as the basic worm tea recipe except you will be
introducing a sugar source and an aeration device. The sugar and
aeration wake up, feed, and increase the population of the beneficial
microorganisms living in the worm compost, making this method the
absolute best for your plants. Here is my aerated, brewed worm compost
tea recipe:
 Put roughly 4 to 6 cups of finished worm castings (without a tea bag)
into a 5 gallon bucket. I never measure, just throw in a few handfuls of
vermicompost.
Add 4 gallons of water (rain or well water is best because it is not
chlorinated but city water will work).
Add 1 ounce of unsulfured molasses to provide a food source for the
beneficial microorganisms living in the worm poop. You can use
almost any sugar source here. NOTE: Adding a sugar source will
increase beneficial microorganisms but it will also increase any
harmful pathogenic microbes as well. If you suspect your worm
compost contains harmful microbes, do not add molasses.
Stick the bubbler (airstone) end of an aquarium aerator down to the
bottom of the bucket and turn it on. Let it brew for about 3 days,
stirring occasionally.
You may want to strain the worm compost tea before using.
For best results, use the brewed worm tea immediately.
Tip for even better results: Follow the worm compost tea recipe
above, but add 2 cups of alfalfa pellets (rabbit food), for some extra
Nitrogen in the worm tea brew.
How to Use Worm Compost Tea

Watering plants with Worm Compost Tea

Now that you have made a batch of compost tea with worm castings, try
one of the below methods in your garden or home. If you have a large
garden or many houseplants, worm compost tea can be diluted with
water to cover more area. Check out these uses for worm compost tea:
Water your garden as you normally would
Water your houseplants
Use the worm compost tea to water seedlings or baby plants
Cover a whole plant with worm compost tea including the leaves.
Many people believe that the beneficial microbes in worm tea help
protect plants from diseases. A sprayer or spray bottle works well. Be
sure to strain the worm compost tea before adding it to the spray
bottle.
Serve worm compost tea at your next tea party.