IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10), Special Issue: 1151-1162 ISSN: 2277–4998 BARRIERS AND LIMITATIONS OF USING VERMICOMPOST BY GREENHOUSE OWNERS IN PAKDASHT COUNTY MASOUD SAEIDI MOGHADAM1, MEHDI MIRDAMADI2, MEHDI RASOULI3 1-Master Student of Agricultural Extension and Education, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Iran ([email protected]) 2-Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension and Education, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ([email protected]) 3-Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Iran ([email protected]) ABSTRACT The purpose of this survey research was to examine barriers and limitations of using vermicompost by greenhouse owners in Pakdasht County. The method of this study was descriptive-correlative type. The statistical population were all the greenhouse owners in Pakdasht County (N=860) which according to Cochran formula 160 subjects were selected by using stratified sampling method. Validity of questionnaire was confirmed by experts and specialists and reliability estimated through a pilot test with 30 questionnaires, Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated for different parts between 0.79 to 0.94.Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19. The results of the Pearson correlation test showed that there was a negative and significant relationship in 99% level among educational-informational, technical and political barriers in using vermicompost. The results of stepwise multi-regression showed that educational-informational, technical and political barriers explained 65% changes of dependent variable variance (using vermicompost). Keywords: Barriers, Vermicompost, Greenhouse, Pakdasht County 1151 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10), Special Issue Masoud Saeidi Moghadam et al Research Article INTRODUCTION In recent years, the use of natural compounds soil organic carbon and some plant nutrients of plant origin instead of chemical (Bulluck et al, 2002, Nardi et al., 2004, compounds and peat has increased. Peat Weber et al., 2007). because of characteristics such as low pH and Unlike compost, vermicompost is produced lack of appropriate water holding capacity under mesophilic conditions, and although after drying cannot be used for all plants. microorganisms degrade the organic matter Also, due to ecological damage to the biochemically, earthworms are the crucial environment and lack of economical drivers of the process, as they aerate, beneficial for producers of ornamental plants, condition and fragment the substrate, thus its use is disputed. This problem has led drastically altering the microbial activity. researchers to think about the substrates with Earthworms act as mechanical blenders, and suitable quality and inexpensive (Krumfolz et by fragmenting the organic matter they al., 2000). modify its physical and chemical status by However, there has been increasing gradually reducing the ratio of C:N and environmental and ecological concerns increasing the surface area exposed to against the use of peat because its harvest is microorganisms - thus making it much more destroying endangered bog ecosystems favorable for microbial activity and further worldwide. Other organic materials such as decomposition (Dominguez et al., 2010). manure compost, vermicompost, rice hulls Today, the use of organic fertilizers such as ash, tea waste, cotton boll, coconut coir dust, vermicompost and useful terrestrial and so on determined suitable components organisms is the most natural and desirable for growing media (Agbo and Omaliko, way to keep the alive system and active life 2006; Ercisli et al., 2005; Sahin et al., 2004). in the soil of agricultural lands (Shadanpour The results of several long-term studies have et al., 2011). The use of vermicompost in shown that the addition of compost improves ornamental plants beds can lead to decrease soil physical properties by decreasing bulk in peat consumption and production cost of density and increasing the soil water holding ornamental plants (Arancon et al., 2004; Loh capacity (Weber et al., 2007). Moreover, in et al., 2004). comparison with mineral fertilizers, compost The ability of some species of earthworm to produces significantly greater increases in consume and breakdown a wide range of 1152 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10), Special Issue Masoud Saeidi Moghadam et al Research Article organic residues such as sewage sludge, microorganisms. Earthworms consume and animal wastes, crop residues and industrial fragment the organic wastes into finer refuse is well known (Kaushim and Garg, particles by passing them through a grinding 2003; Bahrampour and Sharifi Ziveh, 2013). gizzard and derive their nourishment from The use of organic amendments such as microorganisms that grow upon them. The traditional thermophilic compost has been process accelerates the rates of recognized generally as an effective means decomposition of the organic matter, alter the for improving soil aggregation, structure and physical and chemical properties of the fertility, increasing microbial diversity and material, leading to a humification effect in populations improving the moisture – which the unstable organic matter is fully holding capacity of soils, increasing the soil oxidized and stabilized (Arancon & Edwards, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and 2005; Orozco et al., 1996). Plants fertilized increasing crop yields (Marinari et al., 2000). with vermicompost have shown greater Earthworms vermicompost is proving to be ability to assimilate essential macro and highly nutritive ‘organic fertilizer’ and more micro nutrients, and resulted into improved powerful ‘growth promoter’ over the root development (Atiyeh et al., 2001; conventional composts and a ‘protective’ Arancon et al., 2006). farm input (increasing the physical, chemical Various greenhouse and field studies have & biological properties of soil, restoring & examined the effects of a variety of improving its natural fertility) against the vermicompost on a vide range of crops ‘destructive’ chemical fertilizers which has including cereals and legumes (Kaushik and destroyed the soil properties and decreased Garg, 2003), vegetable (Subler et al., 1998; its natural fertility over the years. Atiyeh et al., 2000), ornamental and Vermicompost is rich in NKP (nitrogen 2- flowering plants (Atiyeh et al., 2000) and 3%, potassium 1.85-2.25% and phosphorus field crops (Arancon et al., 2004). 1.55-2.25%), micronutrients, beneficial soil Some studies showed that increases in microbes and also contain ‘plant growth growth and yield at low amounts of hormones & enzymes’ (Anonymous, 2009). vermicompost in the potting medium could Vermicomposts are products derived from probably be due to improvement in the the accelerated biological degradation of physicochemical properties of the container organic wastes by earthworms and medium, increase in enzymatic activity, 1153 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10), Special Issue Masoud Saeidi Moghadam et al Research Article increases in microbial diversity and activity, growth and yield of rice, especially caused nutritional factors and plant growth (Arancon significant increase of many growth et al., 2004; Atiyeh et al., 2000). parameters, seeds germination, chlorophyll Results obtained from this experiment concentration and yield. revealed that growth and yield parameters Walker and Bernal (2008) reported that such as leaf area, dry shoot weights and application of compost and organic fertilizer weight of fruits were significantly by dramatically increased growth of best branch. applying vermicompost. Arancon et al. The effect of vermicompost on plant growth (2004) reported positive effects of is through effect on photosynthesis and vermicompost on the growth and yield. And various products of plants such as leaves, yield in strawberry, especially increases leaf stem and root to stimulate the material stored area, shoot Dry weight and fruit weight in in the leaves and nutrients uptake and water field conditions. by roots. Chamani et al. (2008) investigated the effects Cavender et al. (2003) showed that of vermicompost on growth and flowering vermicompost indirectly through the impact satin in a greenhouse. The results showed on soil micro flora will affect on plant that vermicompost had a significant positive growth. For example, adding vermicompost effect on flower number, leaf growth, and to the growth medium containing peat shoot fresh and dry weight as compared with increases the colony formation of grown plant in soil without vermicompost. mycorrhiza. The highest yield was observed in 20% So considering the importance and benefits vermicompost. of vermicompost, the purpose of this study is Golchin et al. (2006) believe that the to identify the barriers and limitations of nutritional value of the vermicompost is using vermicompost by greenhouse owners dependent on its origin. They reported that in Pakdasht County. In order to achieve vermicomposted animal manures tend to overall purpose, the following specific have a higher nutritional status, compared objectives are considered: with that derived from organic municipal • Describing the personal characteristics of waste. greenhouse owners (age, education level, Mishra et al. (2005) showed that job experience); vermicompost had beneficial effects on 1154 IJBPAS, October, 2015, 4(10), Special Issue Masoud Saeidi Moghadam et al Research Article • Assessment of educational-informational, occupational characteristics, educational- technical