IMPROVING ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF CARROTS THROUGH BIOFORTIFIED VERMICOMPOST INOCULATION

Abstract

The effect of biofortified vermicompost was studied on growth parameter and nutritional quality of carrot. Microorganisms used for fortification were Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis. Vermicompost was prepared by using farm and kitchen waste from Rama University, Kanpur. The experimental findings showed significant variation in growth parameter and amount of antioxidants in treatments. The growth parameter such as root length, shoot length and dry weight was recorded after treatments. Maximum growth of plants was found in Vermicompost + T. harzianum treatment. Biochemical constituents of leaves such as total soluble protein, phenol, ascorbic acid and carotenoids were also recorded enhanced in treatments. Carotenoid content was also increased in biofortified vermicomposts. Nutritional and antioxidants were recorded highest in vermicompost + P. fluorescens treatment.