Physicochemical Properties and Economic Viability of Vermicompost Produced from Selected Noxious Weeds and Farm Waste Materials

Abstract

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and economic viability of vermicompost produced from selected noxious weeds and farm waste materials. Specifically, it determined the physical and chemical properties of vermicompost, assessed the interaction effects and significant differences among treatment combinations, and evaluated the economic viability of vermicompost production through return on investment (ROI). The experiment was conducted at Barangay Tina-an Sur, Leon, Iloilo, from December 2021 to March 2022 using a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement in a Split-Plot Design under a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Three noxious weed species (Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Imperata cylindrica) served as the main plot treatments. In contrast, four farm waste materials (dried banana leaves, rice straw, corn stover, and fruit wastes), each combined with animal manure, served as subplot treatments. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Least Significant Difference (LSD) test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR). Results revealed significant interaction effects between noxious weed species and farm waste materials on the physical and chemical properties of vermicompost. The combination of Lantana camara and rice straw with animal manure consistently produced superior compost quality, recording the highest organic matter (29.13%), organic carbon (16.93%), total nitrogen (1.46%), and the highest yield of 20.3 kg. In contrast, Imperata cylindrica combined with fruit wastes and animal manure produced the highest total phosphorus (1.42%), whereas Lantana camara combined with dried banana leaves and animal manure, and Chromolaena odorata combined with corn stover and animal manure recorded the highest total potassium (0.91%). Cost and return analysis showed that Lantana camara combined with rice straw and animal manure generated the highest return on investment (85%), indicating its economic advantage over the other treatment combinations. The study concludes that the interaction between noxious weed species and farm waste materials significantly influences the quality and profitability of vermicompost. Among the treatments evaluated, Lantana camara combined with rice straw and animal manure proved to be the most suitable substrate combination for producing high-quality and economically viable vermicompost.