Vermicompost Tea Contains Growth Promoting Hormones

Mass spectrometric evidence for the occurrence of plant growth promoting cytokinins in vermicompost tea
Biology and Fertility of Soils 2014
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A group of scientists in Singapore were interested in learning more about the growth promoting effects of vermicompost.  In a very simple experiment they produced vermicompost using plant waste and chicken manure with two different types of worms, red wigglers and blue worms.  They then collected the run-off (leachate, or tea as the researchers called it) from the vermicompost bin and then analyzed the liquid with a mass spectrometer, which allowed them to look at the chemical constituents of the vermicompost liquid.  The spectrometer showed that there were significant levels of 3 different types of growth promoting hormones known as cytokinins.  Cytokinins promote cell division, or essentially growth, in roots and shoots.  The researchers speculate that the hormones are produced by the microbes in the vermicompost.  Thanks again worms!  Your unseen labors are thoroughly appreciated.     

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