Impact of vermicompost on quality and yield of chrysanthemum

The study was done to motivate the farmers of Kurabagatti village of Dharwad district, Karnataka to take up vermicomposting and to know the impact of vermicompost on yield, economics and quality of flowers of chrysanthemum. Vermicompost was used alone and with fertilizers and farm yard manure (FYM). The use of vermicompost drastically reduced the cost of cultivation, the petals of flowers did not wither for a longer period and the flower luster was also good. Thus the flowers could fetch higher price in the market. The highest net return was obtained from the treatment receiving vermicompost and 50 per cent recommended doses of fertilizers. This is attributed to integrated soil fertility management which resulted in higher productivity and also higher market price for the flowers due to their better quality.