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Dr. Naseer Hussain
Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, QC H9X 3V9, Canada

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0 greenhouse gas emissions
0 Soil fertility and nutrient management
0 Waste management and nutrient recycling
0 Earthworms, and vermicomposting
0 Biochar.

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Journal article
Published: 01 January 2020 in Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences
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Vermicompost derived exclusively from ipomoea (Ipomoea carnea), a weed notorious for its toxic and allelopathic characteristics, was explored for its potential use as an organic fertilizer. Ipomoea vermicompost (IVC) at four levels (0, 2.5, 3.75, and 5 tonnes/ha) was explored for its effect on the germination, growth and fruition of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) in appropriately replicated experiments. It was seen that IVC encouraged the germination and growth of ladies finger at all levels of the IVC application, and best results were obtained in 5t/ha treatments. The positive effect occurred at all stages of A.esculentus cultivation ─ from germination of its seeds to all the vegetative growth phases and the fruit yield. There was also improvement in the quality of fruits in terms of mineral, protein and carbohydrate contents, and reduction in the disease incidence and pest attacks, due to the IVC application. The studies reveal that vermicomposting enables ipomoea to acquire all the qualities of a good organic fertilizer with simultaneous loss of its toxicity and allelopathy. The findings raise hopes that the enormous quantities of ipomoea biomass that is generated across the world, and which presently goes to waste, may become utilizable in producing organic fertilizer.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Evaluating the fertilizer and pesticidal value of vermicompost generated from a toxic and allelopathic weed ipomoea. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 2020, 19, 43 -50.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Evaluating the fertilizer and pesticidal value of vermicompost generated from a toxic and allelopathic weed ipomoea. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 2020; 19 (1):43-50.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2020. "Evaluating the fertilizer and pesticidal value of vermicompost generated from a toxic and allelopathic weed ipomoea." Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences 19, no. 1: 43-50.

Journal article
Published: 23 May 2019 in Geoderma
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Surface runoff from agricultural fields is the largest non-point source of phosphorus (P) that pollutes surface water in humid temperate regions. Best management practices have attempted to reduce P loading and improve P retention in agricultural soils, but significant losses continue to occur, emphasizing the need for novel solutions. The objective of this study was to determine whether wood-based biochars applied to an agricultural field, 3 years earlier, could reduce P loss in surface runoff by increasing water infiltration or by improving soil stability. Field plots amended with Dynamotive, Basques and Pyrovac biochars (5 and 10 t ha−1) or without biochar were subjected to 30-min of simulated rainfall to determine runoff volume, time-until-ponding, infiltration rate, and water holding capacity, as well as the P concentration and P load in runoff. The distribution of soil macro- and micro-aggregates and their total organic C and total P content was measured. Soil water dynamics were not affected by biochar amendments, however, runoff contained significantly less ortho-P in field soil amended with Dynamotive and Basques biochar at 5 t ha−1 and significantly less particulate P when amended with biochar at 10 t ha−1. Biochar-amended soil had significantly greater microaggregate stability, organic C and total P content than the control soil without biochar. The reduction in particulate P concentration in runoff may be the result of biochar integration within the microaggregate structure, which indirectly promotes P retention in macroaggregates.

ACS Style

Vanita Sachdeva; Naseer Hussain; Barry R. Husk; JoAnn K. Whalen. Biochar-induced soil stability influences phosphorus retention in a temperate agricultural soil. Geoderma 2019, 351, 71 -75.

AMA Style

Vanita Sachdeva, Naseer Hussain, Barry R. Husk, JoAnn K. Whalen. Biochar-induced soil stability influences phosphorus retention in a temperate agricultural soil. Geoderma. 2019; 351 ():71-75.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vanita Sachdeva; Naseer Hussain; Barry R. Husk; JoAnn K. Whalen. 2019. "Biochar-induced soil stability influences phosphorus retention in a temperate agricultural soil." Geoderma 351, no. : 71-75.

Journal article
Published: 06 July 2018 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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The design and testing of a novel vermicomposting system, acronymed FLUVTS ─ FLippable Units Vermireactor Train System ─ is presented. It enables rapid vermicomposting of paper waste without the need of pre-composting and requires animal manure supplementation to the extent of only 10:1 paper: manure mass ratio in contrast to reported systems which must have 50% or more of the feed mass as animal manure. Moreover, the system enables the vermicomposting to be accomplished at a high rate, achieving near-total convertion of feed to vermicast at solid retention times of just 30 days in comparison to conventional systems which take 90-120 days for the same process. Uninterrupted vermireactor operation for 6 months, during which the feed was put in and its vermicompost harvested once in 30 days, demonstrates the robustness and the consistency of the system. The suitability of the paper-waste vermicompost as an organic fertilizer was then tested in terms of it’s effect on seed germination and early growth of four food plants chilly (Capsicum annuum), ladies finger, (Abelmoschus esculentus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). In general, the paper waste vermicompost when applied at levels < 4.5%, was seen to promote germination success, root and shoot lengths, number and mass of leaves, and chlorophyll and carotene concentrations in all the four species fertilized by it. These effects were statistically significant, at ≥ 95% confidence level. The paper waste vermicompost also made the soil more plant friendly by making its particle density, porosity, and pH more favourable to plant growth than the control soil. In most cases the beneficial effects of the vermicompost were witnessed when it was applied up to 2.5%. Beyond this level there was negative impact. As elaborated in the paper this dichotomy is common to all fertilizers, conventional or organic. All-in-all the process described in this paper enables generation of an organic fertilizer from paper waste in a rapid and inexpensive manner.

ACS Style

S.A. Abbasi; Naseer Hussain; Syed Mohammad Tauseef; Tasneem Abbasi. A novel FLippable Units Vermireactor Train System ─ FLUVTS ─ for rapidly vermicomposting paper waste to an organic fertilizer. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 198, 917 -930.

AMA Style

S.A. Abbasi, Naseer Hussain, Syed Mohammad Tauseef, Tasneem Abbasi. A novel FLippable Units Vermireactor Train System ─ FLUVTS ─ for rapidly vermicomposting paper waste to an organic fertilizer. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 198 ():917-930.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S.A. Abbasi; Naseer Hussain; Syed Mohammad Tauseef; Tasneem Abbasi. 2018. "A novel FLippable Units Vermireactor Train System ─ FLUVTS ─ for rapidly vermicomposting paper waste to an organic fertilizer." Journal of Cleaner Production 198, no. : 917-930.

Review
Published: 16 April 2018 in Sustainability
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Vermicomposting is a process in which earthworms are utilized to convert biodegradable organic waste into humus-like vermicast. Past work, mainly on vermicomposting of animal droppings, has shown that vermicompost is an excellent organic fertilizer and is also imbibed with pest-repellent properties. However, there is no clarity whether vermicomposts of organic wastes other than animal droppings are as plant-friendly as the manure-based vermicomposts are believed to be. It is also not clear as to whether the action of a vermicompost as a fertilizer depends on the species of plants being fertilized by it. This raises questions whether vermicomposts are beneficial (or harmful) at all levels of application or if there is a duality in their action which is a function of their rate of application. The present work is an attempt to seek answers to these questions. To that end, all hitherto published reports on the action of vermicomposts of different substrates on different species of plants have been assessed. The study reveals that, in general, vermicomposts of all animal/plant based organic wastes are highly potent fertilizers. They also possess some ability to repel plant pests. The factors that shape these properties have been assessed and the knowledge gaps that need to be bridged have been identified.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Shahid Abbasi. Efficacy of the Vermicomposts of Different Organic Wastes as “Clean” Fertilizers: State-of-the-Art. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1205 .

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Shahid Abbasi. Efficacy of the Vermicomposts of Different Organic Wastes as “Clean” Fertilizers: State-of-the-Art. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (4):1205.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Shahid Abbasi. 2018. "Efficacy of the Vermicomposts of Different Organic Wastes as “Clean” Fertilizers: State-of-the-Art." Sustainability 10, no. 4: 1205.

Research article
Published: 05 December 2017 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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Utilization of Salvinia molesta, an aquatic weed which is notorious for its allelopathy and invasiveness, has been explored by its vermicomposting. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and plant bioassay tests were conducted to analyze the composition and fertilizer value of S .molesta vermicompost. Germination and seedling growth tests were performed in soil supplemented with vermicompost at levels ranging from 0.75 to 40% by weight of the soil on three common food plants, ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and green gram (Vigna radiata). The influence of S. molesta's vermicompost on some of the physicochemical and biological attributes of the soil was also studied. FT-IR analysis revealed that S. molesta loses its allelopathy, as the chemical compounds that are responsible for it are largely destroyed, in the course of its vermicomposting. There is also an indication that a portion of lignin content of S. molesta is degraded. Vermicompost enhanced the germination success and promoted the morphological growth and biochemical content of the plant species studied. It also bestowed plant friendly physicochemical and biological attributes to the soil. The findings raise the prospect that billions of tons of S. molesta biomass-which not only goes to waste at present but is also a cause of serious harm to the environment-may become utilizable in organic agriculture.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; Shahid Abbas Abbasi. Generation of highly potent organic fertilizer from pernicious aquatic weed Salvinia molesta. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2017, 25, 4989 -5002.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, Shahid Abbas Abbasi. Generation of highly potent organic fertilizer from pernicious aquatic weed Salvinia molesta. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2017; 25 (5):4989-5002.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; Shahid Abbas Abbasi. 2017. "Generation of highly potent organic fertilizer from pernicious aquatic weed Salvinia molesta." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25, no. 5: 4989-5002.

Original research
Published: 11 November 2017 in International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
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In a novel attempt, vermicompost derived from an intransigent and noxious weed salvinia was assessed for its fertilizer value and pest repellent properties. In outdoor experiments which simulated the way vegetables are cultivated by farmers, ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) seeds were germinated and grown in soil supplemented with salvinia vermicompost at four levels: 0 (V0), 2.5 (V1), 3.75 (V2) and 5 (V3) t/ha. Besides assessing germination success and subsequent growth, yield, and biochemical content of the plants, the impact of pest attacks on them was also studied. Salvinia vermicompost significantly enhanced germination success, growth, and yield of the plants. Maximum growth in terms of shoot length (96.2 cm), root length (48.2 cm), shoot and root dry weight (23.31, 7.96 g), stem diameter (14.04 mm), and number of leaves and branches (26.8, 4.8) was recorded in V4 (5t/ha). Likewise, the mineral and biochemical content in vermicompost-treated plants was significantly higher than in the controls. The vermicompost also induced resistance in plants against pests and disease. Compared to the controls, vermicompost had reduced the fruit borer infection by 65, 78 and 82% in V1, V2 and V3, respectively. The toxicity of salvinia is largely eliminated when it is vermicomposted, and the product acquires the qualities of a good organic fertilizer. The present work can potentially lead to the development of an inexpensive, sustainable and eco-friendly method of utilizing billions of tons of phytomass that is generated annually by salvinia, and which presently goes to waste.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S. A. Abbasi. Enhancement in the productivity of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) with concomitant pest control by the vermicompost of the weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta, Mitchell). International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 2017, 6, 335 -343.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S. A. Abbasi. Enhancement in the productivity of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) with concomitant pest control by the vermicompost of the weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta, Mitchell). International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. 2017; 6 (4):335-343.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S. A. Abbasi. 2017. "Enhancement in the productivity of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) with concomitant pest control by the vermicompost of the weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta, Mitchell)." International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 6, no. 4: 335-343.

Journal article
Published: 15 June 2017 in Bioresources and Bioprocessing
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Vermicompost of the toxic and allelopathic weed parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) was explored for its possible use as an organic fertilizer. Replicated plant growth trials were conducted using four levels of parthenium vermicompost (0, 2.5, 3.75, and 5 t/ha) to assess their effects on the germination, growth, and fruition of a typical food plant ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus). Additionally the role of vermicompost in reducing plant pests and disease was evaluated. Vermicompost encouraged the germination and growth of ladies finger at all levels of vermicompost application, with best results obtained in 5 t/ha treatments. The positive impact extended up to the fruit yield. Vermicompost application also improved the quality of fruits in terms of mineral, protein, and carbohydrate contents, and reduced the disease incidence and pest attacks. The studies establish the fact that parthenium acquires all the qualities of a good organic fertilizer with concomitant loss of its toxic and allelopathic properties after it gets vermicomposted. The findings raise the prospects of economical and eco-friendly utilization of billions of tons of parthenium biomass which is generated annually but goes to waste at present.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; Shahid Abbas Abbasi. Detoxification of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) and its metamorphosis into an organic fertilizer and biopesticide. Bioresources and Bioprocessing 2017, 4, 26 .

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, Shahid Abbas Abbasi. Detoxification of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) and its metamorphosis into an organic fertilizer and biopesticide. Bioresources and Bioprocessing. 2017; 4 (1):26.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; Shahid Abbas Abbasi. 2017. "Detoxification of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) and its metamorphosis into an organic fertilizer and biopesticide." Bioresources and Bioprocessing 4, no. 1: 26.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2017 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Toxic and allelopathic ipomoea yields plant-friendly organic fertilizer. Journal of Cleaner Production 2017, 148, 826 -835.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Toxic and allelopathic ipomoea yields plant-friendly organic fertilizer. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2017; 148 ():826-835.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2017. "Toxic and allelopathic ipomoea yields plant-friendly organic fertilizer." Journal of Cleaner Production 148, no. : 826-835.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2016 in Journal of Environmental Management
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Vermicompost, which had been derived solely by the action of the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida on parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus), was tested for its impact on the germination and early growth of green gram (Vigna radiata), ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Seedlings were germinated and grown in soil amended with 0 (control), 0.75, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 20 and 40% (by weight) parthenium vermicompost. Even though parthenium is known to possess strong negative allelopathy, as also plant/animal toxicity in other forms, its vermicompost (VC) manifested none of these attributes. Rather the VC enhanced germination success, introduced plant-friendly physical features in the container media, increased biomass carbon, and was seen to promote early growth as reflected in several morphological and biochemical characteristics in plants which had received parthenium VC in comparison to those which had not. All these effects were statistically significant. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometry revealed that the phenols and the sesquiterpene lactones that are responsible for the negative allelopathic impact of parthenium were largely destroyed in the course of vermicomposting. FTIR spectra also indicated that lignin content of parthenium was reduced during its vermicomposting. The findings open up the possibility that several other invasives known for their negative allelopathy and toxicity may also produce vermicompost which may be plant-friendly and soil-friendly. It also makes it appear possible that the huge quantities of phytomass that is generated annually by parthenium can be gainfully utilized in producing organic fertilizer via vermicomposting, thereby providing a means of exercising some control over parthenium's rampant growth and invasion.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Vermicomposting transforms allelopathic parthenium into a benign organic fertilizer. Journal of Environmental Management 2016, 180, 180 -189.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Vermicomposting transforms allelopathic parthenium into a benign organic fertilizer. Journal of Environmental Management. 2016; 180 ():180-189.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2016. "Vermicomposting transforms allelopathic parthenium into a benign organic fertilizer." Journal of Environmental Management 180, no. : 180-189.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2016 in Process Safety and Environmental Protection
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ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Vermicomposting-mediated conversion of the toxic and allelopathic weed ipomoea into a potent fertilizer. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2016, 103, 97 -106.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Vermicomposting-mediated conversion of the toxic and allelopathic weed ipomoea into a potent fertilizer. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2016; 103 ():97-106.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2016. "Vermicomposting-mediated conversion of the toxic and allelopathic weed ipomoea into a potent fertilizer." Process Safety and Environmental Protection 103, no. : 97-106.

Journal article
Published: 16 June 2016 in International Journal of Environmental Studies
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ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S. A. Abbasi. Transformation of the pernicious and toxic weed parthenium into an organic fertilizer by vermicomposting. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2016, 73, 731 -745.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S. A. Abbasi. Transformation of the pernicious and toxic weed parthenium into an organic fertilizer by vermicomposting. International Journal of Environmental Studies. 2016; 73 (5):731-745.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S. A. Abbasi. 2016. "Transformation of the pernicious and toxic weed parthenium into an organic fertilizer by vermicomposting." International Journal of Environmental Studies 73, no. 5: 731-745.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2016 in Ecological Engineering
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In evidently the first study of its kind, vermicompost derived solely from salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell), arguably the world’s most invasive and dominant aquatic weed, has been assessed for its nature and composition. Salvinia is known to contain exceptionally high concentrations of polyphenols, and has unusually ligneous leaves—the two attributes that make it strongly allelopathic and hardy, enabling it to elbow out other vegetation. The present study, supported by UV–vis and FTIR spectrometry, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, and GS-MS analysis, reveals that upon vermicomposting salvinia loses its allelopathy. It happens because chemicals responsible for the alleopathy of salvinia are destroyed, transforming the weed into a potent organic fertilizer. Much of the salvinia’s lignin is also biodegraded. Scanning electron microscopy shows marked disaggregation of the material in the vermicompost as compared to well-formed matrix of salvinia leaves. The findings open up the possibility of utilizing billions of tonnes of salvinia biomass – which not only goes to waste at present but is also a cause of serious harm to the environment – in making organic fertilizer.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Vermiremediation of an invasive and pernicious weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta). Ecological Engineering 2016, 91, 432 -440.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Vermiremediation of an invasive and pernicious weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta). Ecological Engineering. 2016; 91 ():432-440.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2016. "Vermiremediation of an invasive and pernicious weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta)." Ecological Engineering 91, no. : 432-440.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2016 in Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
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In a first study of its kind, the composition of vermicompost derived solely from the toxic and allelopathic weed lantana has been investigated using UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gas chromatography-mass spectometry (GC-MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The studies reveal that a sharp reduction in humification index, substantial mineralization of organic matter and degradation of complex aromatics such as lignin and polyphenols into simpler carbohydrates and lipids occur in the course of vermicomposting. GC-MS analysis shows significant fragmentation, bio-oxidation and molecular rearrangements of chemical compounds in vermicompost in comparison to those in lantana. SEM micrographs of vermicompost reflect strong disaggregation of material compared to the much better formed lantana matrices. The phenols and sesquiterpene lactones which are specifically responsible for the toxicity and allelopathy of lantana are seen to get significantly degraded in the course of vermicomposting - turning it into a plant-friendly organic fertilizer. The study leads to the possibility that the millions of tons of phytomass that is generated annually by lantana can be gainfully utilized in producing organic fertilizer via vermicomposting.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Transformation of toxic and allelopathic lantana into a benign organic fertilizer through vermicomposting. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 2016, 163, 162 -169.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Transformation of toxic and allelopathic lantana into a benign organic fertilizer through vermicomposting. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. 2016; 163 ():162-169.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2016. "Transformation of toxic and allelopathic lantana into a benign organic fertilizer through vermicomposting." Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 163, no. : 162-169.

Journal article
Published: 28 April 2015 in Journal of Hazardous Materials
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In evidently the first study of its kind, vermicompost derived solely from a weed known to possess plant and animal toxicity was used to assess its impact on the germination and early growth of several plant species. No pre-composting or supplementation of animal manure was done to generate the vermicompost in order to ensure that the impact is clearly attributable to the weed. Whereas the weed used in this study, Lantana (Lantana camara), is known to possess strong negative allelopathy, besides plant/animal toxicity in other forms, its vermicompost was seen to be a good organic fertilizer as it increased germination success and encouraged growth of all the three botanical species explored by the authors – green gram (Vigna radiata), ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). In terms of several physical, chemical and biochemical attributes that were studied, the vermicompost appeared plant-friendly, giving best results in general when employed at concentrations of 1.5% in soil (w/w). Fourier transform infrared spectrometry revealed that the phenols and the sesquiterpene lactones that are responsible for the allelopathic impact of Lantana were largely destroyed in the course of vermicomposting. There is also an indication that lignin content of Lantana was reduced during its vermicomposting. The findings open up the possibility that the billions of tons of phytomass that is generated annually by Lantana and other invasives can be gainfully utilized in generating organic fertilizer via vermicomposting.

ACS Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. Vermicomposting eliminates the toxicity of Lantana (Lantana camara) and turns it into a plant friendly organic fertilizer. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2015, 298, 46 -57.

AMA Style

Naseer Hussain, Tasneem Abbasi, S.A. Abbasi. Vermicomposting eliminates the toxicity of Lantana (Lantana camara) and turns it into a plant friendly organic fertilizer. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2015; 298 ():46-57.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Naseer Hussain; Tasneem Abbasi; S.A. Abbasi. 2015. "Vermicomposting eliminates the toxicity of Lantana (Lantana camara) and turns it into a plant friendly organic fertilizer." Journal of Hazardous Materials 298, no. : 46-57.

Research article
Published: 20 June 2014 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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In perhaps the first-ever study of its kind, the effect of vermicompost, derived solely from an allelopathic weed, on the germination, growth, and yield of a botanical species, has been carried out. In test plots, the soil was treated with the vermicompost of lantana (Lantana camara) at the rates of 5, 7.5, and 10 t ha−1, and cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) was grown on it. The performance of these systems was compared with the systems in which the soil was fortified with inorganic fertilizers (IFs) in concentrations equivalent to those present in the respective vermicompost (VC) treatments. Additionally, a set of control was studied in which the soil was used without fortification by either VC or IF. It was seen that up to 51.5 % greater germination success occurred in the VC treatments compared to controls. VC also supported better plant growth in terms of stem diameter, shoot length, shoot mass, number of leaves, and leaf pigments. The positive impact extended up to fruit yield. In addition, vermicast application enhanced root nodule formation, reduced disease incidence, and allowed for a smaller number of stunted plants. The results indicate that allelopathic ingredients of lantana seem to have been totally eliminated during the course of its vermicomposting and that lantana vermicompost has the potential to support germination, growth, and fruit yield better than equivalent quantities of IFs.

ACS Style

M. Karthikeyan; N. Hussain; S. Gajalakshmi; S.A. Abbasi. Effect of vermicast generated from an allelopathic weed lantana (Lantana camara) on seed germination, plant growth, and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2014, 21, 12539 -12548.

AMA Style

M. Karthikeyan, N. Hussain, S. Gajalakshmi, S.A. Abbasi. Effect of vermicast generated from an allelopathic weed lantana (Lantana camara) on seed germination, plant growth, and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2014; 21 (21):12539-12548.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Karthikeyan; N. Hussain; S. Gajalakshmi; S.A. Abbasi. 2014. "Effect of vermicast generated from an allelopathic weed lantana (Lantana camara) on seed germination, plant growth, and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 21, no. 21: 12539-12548.