Tuesday, 8 November 2005
11

The Use of Vermicompost to Enhance Growth of Native Illinois Prairie Plant Species in Biodiesel Contaminated Soil.

Addie L. Meteer, Robert Rhykerd, Gary R. Bachman, and Bryon R. Wiegand. Illinois State University, Department of Agriculture, Campus Box 5020, Normal, IL 61790

The use of biofuel is increasing rapidly and with its increase in use, the likelihood of accidental spills also increases and methodologies to successfully re-vegetate biodiesel contaminated soils are needed. The objective of this research was to determine if vermicompost enhances growth of Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and Chamaecrista fasiculate (showy partridge pea) in biodiesel contaminated soil. The experimental design was a completely randomized 2 x 4 factorial design with 3 replication per treatment. Seedlings of big bluestem and showy partridge pea were germinated in a commercial potting soil and grown for 42 days at which time plugs were transplanted. Plants were transplanted into pots with dimensions of 10 cm x 10 cm x 9 cm (l x w x h) containing a loamy topsoil, a loamy topsoil amended with 20%v vermicompost, a loamy topsoil amended with 5g biodiesel kg-1, or a loamy tops soil amended with both 5 g biodiesel kg-1 and 20%v vermicompost. Three plugs were transplanted per pot and were grown for an additional 49 days. To assess the impact of vermicompost on plant growth, plant height was measured on days 21, 28, 42, and 49. On day 49, plants were destructively sampled to measure plant root and shoot biomass. Results show both big bluestem and partridge pea were able to survive being transplanted into biodiesel contaminated soil and differences in plant height between amended soils were not significant. Big bluestem produced the most plant biomass in the 20%v vermicompost treatment, which was significantly greater than that produced from the vermicompost and biodiesel amended treatment. There were no significant differences in the showy partridge pea biomass production between the amended soil treatments. These data indicate that both big bluestem and showy partridge pea may be used to establish vegetation on biodiesel contaminated soil.

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