Evaluation of Vermicompost and Vermiwash as Organic Amendments for Enhancing Growth and Yield of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.)

This study examined the effects of vermicompost (VC) and vermiwash (VW) on the growth and yield of three mung bean varieties (MI5, MI6 and MIMB7) recommended by the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. Treatments included VC and VW applied at 25 – 100%, alongside chemical fertiliser and an untreated control. Treatments with higher nutrient inputs, particularly 75% VC and 100% VC, were consistently associated with superior vegetative growth and pod production, identifying them as the most promising for improving mung bean performance. Among these, VC-based treatments showed the strongest and most consistent positive associations with yield-related traits, confirming the greater effectiveness of VC over VW and chemical fertiliser. At the varietal level, MIMB7 emerged as the best-performing variety, exhibiting superior growth and yield characteristics, particularly under 75% and 100% VC treatments. In contrast, MI6 and MI5 showed intermediate and lower performance, respectively, suggesting that MI6 is moderately responsive and may benefit from balanced nutrient treatments; however, neither variety matched the productivity of MIMB7. The 75% VC treatment demonstrated significantly higher responses in most measured parameters compared with both chemical fertiliser and the control across all varieties, and its performance was comparable to 100% VC; therefore, 75% VC was identified as the most appropriate level for practical field application to enhance vegetative growth and yield. These results suggest that VC provides a sustainable and efficient organic fertilisation strategy; however, further field-based studies are required to validate its long-term effects on crop productivity and soil health.