Aerating Vermicompost Liberates Nutrients

Properties of vermicompost aqueous extracts prepared under different conditions
Journal of Environmental Technology 2016

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09593330.2016.1231225

This paper shows the extraction efficiency (ability to measure) of N, P, K, Ca, & Mg all increased 33-50% in an aerated compost tea, as opposed to a non-aerated tea. The researchers used two different vermicomposts (horse manure being one, and apple pomace the other) under two conditions, aerated and non-aerated. This highest levels of nutrients extracted were seen after 48 hours of brew time. I had learned long ago that the main benefit was the addition of microbes, and not so much the nutrients, looks like there's some more learning to do.....

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