Earthworm Activities in Two Contrasting Diets and Nutrient Content of the Cast Produced: It’s Efficiency in Comparativeness to Traditional Compost on a Deficient Loamy Sand Soil and Soybean Yield

Abstract

Earthworms have been found to be very efficient in biodegradation, nutrient release and recycling. Thus, in this study the comparative effectiveness of five composts in improving the productivity of degraded loamy sand soil was investigated for 2 years with detrimental effects in a greenhouse study. Traditional Bracharia compost (TBA); traditional Bracharia-Eupatorium compost (TBUA); worm worked Bracaharia compost (WBA) and worm worked Bacharia-Eupatorium compost (WBUA) and control (CO). The five (5) composts for the 2 years under study showed significant (P < 0.05) difference in most of the parameters studied with increased value in 2023-year planting relative to 2024-year study. Worm worked composts enriched the soil with nutrients and supported soybean growth and yield more than the traditional composts. The ranking of the soybean yield increase and residual effect in 2024 year planting respectively were; WBA > WBUA > TBUA > TBA and WBUA < TBUA < WBA < TBA < CO. Enhancement levels of plant nutrients and soil pH are evident that the composts studied have a high fertilizing value with good potentials for restoration of productivity of degraded loamy sand soil. The composts enriched soybean root and shoot with heavy metals but below their critical level for humans and animals health.