Abstract—The aim of this study was investigated the effect of N-fixing and variable organic matter on some of the chemical properties of vermicompost. Treatments included factorial of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in four levels (no inoculation with bacteria, inoculate with Azotobacter, commercial Nitroxin and commercial Nitrokara), and the effects of various substrates in three levels (cow manure, straw and plantain leaf in ratio of 50:50). Measurements were the traits of the weight of produced worm biomass, the amount of cocoon production, total carbon and total nitrogen. Result showed that the heaviest adult worm weight, total worms and cocoon weight was observed in cow manure treatment that has not been inoculated. Treatment of cow manure with plantain leaf in ratio of 50 : 50 and Azotobacter, had the highest percentage of organic materials among the treatments and the maximum amount of total nitrogen obtained from treatment containing cow manure 50% + plantain leaf 50% and Azotobacter. Free-living aerobic bacteria, by using supplemented energy, improved the quality of final vermicompost but had no effect on the weight of biomass.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We gratefully appreciate M. Ghollarata for her valuable assistance in this research.
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This work was financially supported by the University of Gonbad Kavous (Golestan, Iran).
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Abbas Biabani, Naderi, Z., Gholizadeh, A. et al. Effect of N-Fixing Bacteria and Variable Organic Matter on Some Characteristics of Vermicompost. Russ. Agricult. Sci. 46, 264–268 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068367420030027
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068367420030027