10.57647/ijrowa.2026.18748

Optimizing Vermicompost and Cobalt Application for Enhancing Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Yield in Inceptisol

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  • Pramod Kumar Sharma1,
  • Dibyajyoti Panda1,
  • Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta*2,
  • Himanshu Pandey1,
  • Abhik Patra3,
  • Shashank Kumar Singh1,
  • Munesh Kumar Shukla1,
  1. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences; Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Autónoma University of Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
  3. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Narkatiaganj, West Champaran, 845455, Bihar, India (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar, Pusa, Samastipur, India

Received: 2025-09-06

Revised: 2025-10-15

Accepted: 2026-02-03

Published in Issue 2026-02-03

Copyright (c) -1 Pramod Kumar Sharma, Dibyajyoti Panda, Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta, Himanshu Pandey, Abhik Patra, Shashank Kumar Singh, Munesh Kumar Shukla (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Sharma, P. K., Panda, D., Jiménez-Ballesta, R., Pandey, H., Patra, A., Singh, S. K., & Shukla, M. K. (2026). Optimizing Vermicompost and Cobalt Application for Enhancing Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Yield in Inceptisol. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa.2026.18748
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Abstract

Purpose: Rice is an essential diet for more than half of the world’s inhabitants and subjected to growth in heavy metal-contaminated soil. Rice accumulates heavy metals in the above and below ground parts; the magnitude of accumulation depends upon the plant's available form of heavy metals in the soil. One such heavy metal is cobalt, which its concentration has been manifolded in post-industrial activities, leading to a high soil Co concentration. Cobalt is a component of Vitamin B12 and many enzymes. Humans can’t synthesize these enzymes, and consumption of Co-enriched grain can lead to Co toxicity in humans. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of vermicompost conjugated with an optimum dose of Co for rice plants grown in an Inceptisol.

Method: The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) comprising nine treatments. The treatment received vermicompost, Co in the form of cobalt chloride, and the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF).

Results: The results indicated that the application of Co at lower concentration was beneficial for rice growth without any hyperaccumulation, resulting in a significant increase of 46% and 22% in grain and straw yield, respectively. A comparable trend was also observed for Nitrogen uptake, which increased by 2 and 1.5 times over RDF in grain and straw, respectively. In contrast, higher Co application rates, either alone or in combination with vermicompost, resulted in a 10–15% reduction in cobalt uptake in grains. These findings suggest that vermicompost plays a critical role in regulating and optimizing cobalt uptake under higher Co application levels.

Conclusion: Overall, vermicompost and the lower doses of Co provide a better yield in rice without any phytotoxicity.

Highlights:

·       Vermicompost and low-dose Co boosted rice yield by up to 46% over recommended dose of fertilizer

·       Improved N, Fe, Mn and Zn uptake without Co hyperaccumulation in grain.

·       Vermicompost raised soil OC and reduced Co uptake, enhancing food safety.

·       Higher Co (>10 mg kg⁻¹) induced phytotoxicity, lowering growth and yield.

·       Integrated vermicompost and Co management supports soil and crop health.

Keywords

  • Hyperaccumulation,
  • Phytotoxicity,
  • Nitrogen,
  • Uptake,
  • Heavy metal
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