Germination test by the direct seed test
Generally, the germination percent of radish and marigold
seeds in the vermicompost–water extracts (Table 2) were greater
than in vermicompost–soil mixes (Table 3). The percent germination
of radish, marigold, and upland cress 10 days after seeding depended
on the type of feedstock, duration of vermicomposting, and
concentration of the vermicompost–soil mix. The percent germination
of all three species was usually depressed in soil mixes with
5% or 10% vermicompost compared to the control soil. However,
for cress and radish, germination percent in day 90 CMY vermicompost–soil
mixes was equal to the control. Compared to the
other two vermicomposts, the CMY produced the greatest percent
germination for all three plants and vermicomposting durations.