Vermicompost in Sustainable Crop Production

Sustainable crop production requires new means of fertilization in light of both the use of renewable resources and improving soil quality. The processing of biological waste by the concerted action of earthworms and microorganisms leads to the production of vermicompost-an organic fertilizer with high microbiological activity and rich in mineral nutrients and humic substances. Vermicompost is an extremely promising type of amendment, as evidenced by many studies at laboratory and field scales, in addition to the results of practical application. In organic farming, vermicompost can be used as a basal soil fertilizer, providing plant-available mineral nutrients and organic matter as a source for additional nutrients and microbiological activity. In conventional farming practices, vermicompost can substitute chemical fertilizers. It is evident that the benefits derived from the application of vermicompost in agriculture are related to direct and indirect effects on crop plants, in addition to the improvement of soil properties, leading to a long-term increase in soil sustainability. However, the lack of understanding of specific mechanisms of beneficial influence hinders the ability to scientifically predict the outcome of vermicompost application in different crop production systems. Additional scientific knowledge is therefore necessary to characterize the functional relationships involved in vermicompost production and after its application in soil in order to ensure the quality of this organic fertilizer for wider use.