![]() ![]() “Compost offers a long-term, sustainable benefit, not just to the soil but to the plants and organisms that live there,” said S. In addition, plants root better in the looser soil. Most home gardeners know the value of compost - a mix of trimmings and clippings from the yard, fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen, and the famous “well-rotted manure.” Compost creates air pockets in the soil that not only improve drainage but, by holding more water and nutrients, increase drought resistance and feed the plants through the growing season as well. After finding they could grow this popular crop in soil enriched with vermicompost (the fancy term for compost made by worms), researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are looking at just how much of the stuff it takes to get the best yields.įunding for the project comes from the state’s Conservation 2000 Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program, which encourages farm practices that protect and enhance soil, water and air. When it comes to fertilizer production, can the lowly worm compete with the giant chemical company? JStudy: Vermicompost spurs tomato plant growthĬARBONDALE, Ill. Shupe of Toledo holds a handful of compost made by worms chowing down on food waste and coffee grounds. ![]() Worm-eaten - In Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Vermicomposting Center, graduate student Bryan D. ![]()
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