UMT 11th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management

09th 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

Effect of Vermiwash and Vermicomposting Leachate in Hydroponics Culture

of Indian Borage (Plectranthus ambionicus) Plantlets.
Shlrene Quaik1, Asha Embrandiri1, Parveen F. Rupani1, Rajeev P. Singh2, Mahamad H.
Ibrahim1
1

Environmental Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains

Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
2
Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi-5, India
Corresponding authors e-mail: qshlrene@yahoo.com

Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate in
hydroponic culture on growth of Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus) plantlets. The vermiwash
and vermicomposting leachate were collected from the vermiwash and the vermicomposting unit of
pre-composted cow dung respectively. Vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate were diluted into
10% (v/v). Phytotoxicity test were carried out with the diluted solutions and water as control with
mung bean(Vigna radiata) seeds. Germination percentage of higher than 80% was obtained. Sodium
and potassium content of both liquids were determined. Potassium is presence in abundance in
vermiwash. The 10% solutions of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate were used as nutrient
solution for hydroponic culture of plantlets of Indian Borage. Results indicate that Indian Borage in
vermiwash showed pronounced root growth (15.73cm 1.3), total chlorophyll content (0.37 mg g-1
0.03) and carotenoids content (3.51 mg g -1 0.8) compared to vermicomposting leachate and control
samples. The study confirmed that both 10% vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate have
potential to be used in hydroponic culture but 10% of vermiwash exhibits superiority in growth as
well as in content of photosynthetic pigments.
Keywords: Vermiwash, vermicomposting leachate, hydroponics, Indian Borage (Plectranthus
ambionicus), plantlets
Introduction
Recently, more focus has been given to vermicomposting technique. This technology uses the
assistance of earthworms to stabilize the organic waste material and produces microorganism rich
medium that enhances the process of composting. Burrows and drilospheres created by earthworms
are abundant in microorganisms and full of readily available plant nutrients. The principle of the
vermiwash collecting unit is designed to allow the percolation of water through these passages and
hence collecting the nutrient and microorganisms along with it. Vermiwash was diluted to 10% and
found to be effective as plant foliar spray [1]. Leachate is produced due to the microorganism
activities that are present in the vermicomposting process. Draining the leachate that is produced can
prevent vermicomposting unit saturation. Regardless of that, leachate that is derived from it is said to
contain high plant nutrients and can be beneficial when used as liquid fertilizer [2]. Dilution of
vermicomposting leachate is advised to prevent plant damage such as scorching of leaves [3]. Indian
Borage (Plectranthus ambionicus) was chosen for the study due to its medicinal properties and has
been reported to exhibit fungitoxic properties [4]. There had been a study on compost leachates for
plant growth in hydroponics culture [5], but non on vermicomposting leachate and vermiwash in
hydroponics culture.
Methods
Set up A : Vermiwash
Vermiwash was prepared with reference to Ismail, 2005 [1]. A 50L plastic container with an
attached tap at the bottom of the container for vermiwash draining was used. Partially composted
cowdung was placed on top of the soil and afterwards, earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae were
introduced. Moisture level was maintained with 1litre of water. To ensure minimal disturbance to the
drilosphere a dripping system was put in place.
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09th 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

Set up B: Vermicomposting leachate

A rectangular shape plastic container was set up. The container was slightly tilted (45) at one end
and a drainage tap was installed at the bottom of container. Gravel were placed at the bottom of
container to prevent water saturation. Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae were used. Water was sprinkled
when necessary to keep the reactor moist but not wet.
Vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate that collected were both stored in separate containers for
further use. The pH of samples was measured with a pH meter (Hach Sension 3), and the electrical
conductivity (EC) with Hach Sension 5. Both liquids were diluted to 10% (v/v) before using in
hydroponics of Indian Borage plantlets. Germination tests were conducted on vermiwash and
vermicomposting leachate with dilution of 10% on mung bean seed (Vigna radiata) to test for
phytotoxicity. A piece of filter paper was placed in the petri plate, 10 seeds of mung bean were
introduced. 3ml of the diluted vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate were poured in everyday.
Distilled water was used as control. The germination was observed for 72 hours, and the germinating
percentage was calculated. The samples were prepared in triplicate and were placed in the dark [6].
Vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate that diluted to 10% (v/v) were used in hydroponics of
Indian Borage plantlets. Distilled water was used in control. Photosynthetic pigments data were
collected.
Results and Discussion
The pH of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate are 7.3 0.17 and 7.4 0.18 respectively. The
value of pH are not significantly different. Leachate that obtained from using other raw material may
have higher or lower pH value. The results show that vermicomposting leachate exhibits higher
electrical conductivity (EC) value which is 1.66 0.02 dS m-1 if compared with vermiwash 1.48
0.07 dS m-1. Electrical conductivity value indicates the concentrations of dissolved salts.
250

(mg/L)

200
150
Vermiwash
100

Vermicomposting
leachate

50
0

Na

Fig 1: Sodium and Potassium concentration of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate. The values
are given as mean SD (standard deviation).
Figure 1 shows that vermicomposting leachate contains slightly higher amount of sodium (Na),
whereas vermiwash contains high value of potassium (K). Potassium, as one of the primary nutriets,
is needed in high amount for better plant growth.[7] Figure 2 shows that, germination percentage of
mung bean in 72 hours are highest in 10% vermiwash (80%) followed by treatment of 10%
vermicomposting leachate which is 60% . Germination test was carried out to determine the
phytotoxicity of the vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate. A germination percentage of >50% is
the indicator of the maturity of the compost [8]. Figure 3 reveals that Indian Borage that with 10%
vermiwash treatments have highest root and shoot length if compares and control shows the lowest in
values. It may indicate that vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate have potential to be used in
hydroponics of Indian Borage. Highest root and shoot length may be the results of high concentration
of potassium in vermiwash.
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UMT 11th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management

09th 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Germination %

Control

Vermiwash

Vermicomposting
leachate

Fig. 2: Germination percentage of control, 10% vermiwash and 10% vermicomposting leachate on
mung bean. The values are given as mean SD (standard deviation).
20
16

cm

12
Root
8

Shoot

4
0
Control

Vermiwash

Vermicomposting leachate

Fig 3: Root and shoot length of Indian Borage in control, 10% vermiwash and vermicomposting
leachate. The values are given as mean SD
0.8

mg g-1 dry wt

0.6
0.4
Total Chl
0.2
0
Control

Vermiwash

Vermicomposting
leachate

Fig 4: Total chlorophyll content Borage in control, 10% vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate.
The values are given as mean SD
Toral chlorophyll content of Indian Borage was reported to be higher in vermiwash and
vermicomposting leachate treatment as compared to control. 10% vermiwash in treatment showed
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09th 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

highest content on total chlorophyll (Chlorophyll a + Chlorophyll b) (Fig 4). Indian Borage in 10%
vermiwash hydroponics also shows the highest concentration in carotenoids, followed by 10% of
vermicomposting leachate treatment (Fig 5). Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b
and carotenoids) work as an indicator of plant health as they are the main heavy metal toxicity
targeting site[9]. From the results, it can be said that heavy metal toxicity presence in vermiwash and
vermicomposting leachate are very low or minimal and does not show harm towards plant health. It
has also been reported that adequate amount of potassium supplied promotes the increment of
chlorophyll content in plant [10].
0.16

mg g-1 dry wt

0.12
0.08
Carotenoids
0.04
0
Control

Vermiwash

Vermicomposting
leachate

Fig 5: Carotenoids content of Indian Borage in hydroponics in control, 10% vermiwash and 10%
vermicomposting leachate. The values are given as mean SD
Conclusion
This study suggests that vermiwash and vermicomposing leachate derived from pre-composted cow
dung, , can be used in hydroponics culture of Indian Borage with dilution. Nutrients such as Na and K
are present in adequate amount in both solutions. Data on photosynthetic pigments of Indian Borage
show that the plantlets grown in these two are healthy. Hence confirmed that vermiwash and
vermicomposting leachate can be used in hydroponics culture with dilution on Indian Borage
plantlets.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to extend their gratitude to USM Graduate Assistance Scheme for the
financial support throughout this study and to Prof. Sultan Ahmed Ismail for his moral support.
References
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[3]
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09th 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

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