Investigations on Use of Eupatorium (chromolaena Odorata) as Source for Vermicompost Production and its Effect on Earthworm Population

In an experiment conducted with farm material (farm waste + cow dung) and eupatorium the quantity of vermicompost produced was maximum in the treatment received farm materials only (69 kg) and was at par with that of the vermicompost produced using farm materials and eupatorium in the proportions of 5:1 (68 kg) and 4:1 (65 kg). The nutrient content of vermicompost was found to increase with inclusion of eupatorium. The population of earthworms (both matured and juvenile) was also not affected or reduced when eupatorium was used in vermicompost production.