Wheny Masruroh, Budi Prasetya, Retno Suntari
Weeds are a potential material for composting. The presence of weeds in crop cultivation is often controlled with herbicides. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of herbicides to earthworms, vermikompos, and maize. The purposes are: 1. Knowing the effect of herbicides on weeds to the resistance and the development of earthworms, 2. Knowing the nutrient content of vermicompost (N, P, K, and C), 3. Knowing the Pb content in vermicompost and maize. This study used a completely randomized design with three replications and seven treatments. Herbicides were applicated on weeds in maize cultivation. Then weeds used as material for vermicompost. Weeds and soil were mixed with composition 1 kg of each material. The results of vermicompost used as a growing medium for maize. The results showed that the application of herbicides on weeds as vermicompost materials has not significant effect on the resistance and development of earthworms. Vermicompost containing high nutrients (N, P, K, and C) that caused by earthworm functions during decomposition process. Pb metals content of Vermicompost are affected by Pb content of weeds and the number of earthworms. Pb metal content of vermicompost has signicant effect to Pb content in roots, steem and leaves of maize. © 2015, International Journal of ChemTech Research. All right reserved.
Brawijaya University, Indonesia
