Did you know charles Darwin's 2nd book was about worms?
So much research about worms and vermicompost has taken place over the decades, starting way back when with Charles Darwin, and following the latest scientific studies is part of our ongoing practices. We are also continually conducting our own trials and research as well.
Below you will find links and articles with a variety of factual information about vermicompost and its benefits. There are also excerpts of just a few studies done by recognized experts in the field of vermiculture, soil science, plants, and much more.
PUBLISHED Studies
Excerpt from: Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2017
We were honored and elated when Black Diamond Vermicompost was specifically chosen for this study. It could have positive impacts globally!
”…Petunia and Pelargonium induced more growth and flower production than that of the control. These results obtained with different B and V associations are of interest to those who want to reduce peat consumption for the production of ornamental plants in containers and to reduce carbon footprint of this commercially productive sector.” Read Part 1 published in BioCycle here…
How Does Vermicomposted Dairy Manure Protect Plants From Disease.
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Summary from: Effects of vermicomposts produced from cattle manure, food waste and paper waste on the growth and yield of peppers in the field – 2005
Humic materials and other plant growth-influencing substances, such as plant growth hormones, produced by microorganisms during vermicomposting, and produced after increased microbial biomass and activity in soils, may have been responsible for the increased pepper growth and yields, independent of nutrient availability.
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Excerpt from: The science of Vermiculture: The Use of Earthworms in Organic Waste Management by Clive A. Edwards & Norman Q. Arancon, Soil Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
“Traditional composting is a thermophilic process reaching temperatures 55°-70°C that promotes microbial activity selectively, whereas vermicomposting is a mesophilic method and promotes greatly increased activity by a wide range and diversity of microorganisms. We have considerable evidence from our research at OSU of much greater microbial activity and biodiversity in vermicomposts than in thermophilic composts.”
. . . To view the entire study, click here
Excerpt from: Effects of Vermicompost on Plant Growth by Norman Q. Arancon and Clive A. Edwards – 2005 Soil Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
Grape Vines- pg. 9 "Soil analyses after the vermicompost applications showed marked improvements in the overall physical and biochemical properties of the soil. A surface application of vermicompost derived from grape marc, spread under grape vines covered with a straw and paper mulch increased yields of a grape variety Pinot Noir by 55% (Buckerfield and Webster, 1998). The increases in yields included large increases in both bunch-weights and bunch numbers and no losses in flavor. In an experiment at a second site, vermicompost applications from animal manures, under straw mulch, increased Chardonnay grape yields by up to 35% and vermicompost applications tended to have greater effects on yields when applied under mulches than when applied directly to the soil surface possibly through degradation of vermicompost on exposure to sun and air. In later experiments Webster reported that a single application of vermicompost to grapes still had positive effects on yields for 5 years.”
. . . To view the entire study, click here
Excerpt from: The Conversion of Organic Wastes into Vermicomposts and Vermicompost ‘Teas’ Which Promote Plant Growth and Suppress Pests and Diseases by Clive A. Edwards*, Norman Q. Arancon*, Tse Chi Kai**, and David Ellery**
*Soil Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
** Sunburst Waste Management Technologies Ltd, Australia
More recently, there has been considerable world-wide interest and significant technological progress, particularly at The Ohio State University, on the production and optimal uses of vermicomposts. Vermicomposts can be processed from most organic wastes such as animal manures, and particularly, paper and food wastes, through interactions between earthworms and microorganisms…
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Excerpt from: Vermicompost Tea Production and Plant Growth Impacts Part I: Research Highlights By Norman Q. Arancon, Clive A. Edwards, Richard Dick and Linda Dick, BioCycle, November 2007
Use of vermicomposts, produced through interactions between earthworms and microorganisms, promote the germination growth, flowering and yields of a range of greenhouse and field horticultural crops, including tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, marigolds and petunias. Vermicompost use has become a well-established practice over the last 10 years, in part due to the work of scientists at The Ohio State University.
Click BioCycle – Tea for entire article