Vermicompost is a kind of natural eco-manure, which is the
product of organic matter degradation through the interaction
between earthworms and microorganisms (Hu et al., 2004). It
contains nutrients that are readily taken up by the plants, such
as nitrate, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Vermicompost is an excellent soil amendment or conditioner
because of high porosity, aeration, drainage, water-holding capacity
and microbial activity (Edwards and Burrows, 1988; Orozco
et al., 1996). Arancon (2006) reported that greater contents of NH4-
N, NO3-N and orthophosphates and higher dehydrogenase activity
are recorded in vermicompost-treated soils than in the controls