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RESUMO A Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) é uma espécie vegetal com grande potencial de uso nos setores alimentício, medicinal e forrageiro, no processo de clareamento e descontaminação de água, produção de biocombustível, dentre outros. Técnicas de produção de mudas com uso de resíduos regionais são apropriadas para a introdução desta espécie em comunidades carentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas nutricionais e de crescimento de mudas de moringa, cultivadas em substratos com diferentes concentrações de fibra da casca de coco verde (FCV), associadas a composto orgânico (CO). O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados. Foram testados dois compostos orgânicos: o composto de lixo urbano (CLU) e o vermicomposto (VC) associados a FCV em várias proporções volumétricas (CO:FCV): 0:100; 25:75; 50:50; 75:25 a 100:0%. Após 51 dias de cultivo, foi observado que o aumento da concentração de FCV em relação ao composto orgânico reduziu a altura, a massa da matéria seca, o Índice de Qualidade de Dickson e os conteúdos de N, P, K, Ca e Mg das mudas. Não houve diferença, para essas características comparando-se o uso do composto de lixo urbano e o do vermicomposto. Substratos com 100% de FCV e sem adubação complementar ocasionaram sintomas de deficiência de N nas mudas de moringa.

Composting is becoming a more and more common way of biodegradable waste disposal. Composts should be characterized by high content of nutrients and low amount of pollutants. Vermicompost is a compost produced by overpopulated culture of earthworm Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826). World scientific literature states that vermicompost has a high fertilizing value which often exceeds such value of conventional composts. The results showed that vermicompost has a much higher fertilizing value than the compost produced by the traditional pile method. However, prism vermicompost created with the participation of a less concentrated population of earthworms has an intermediate value as a fertilizer (nitrogen and heavy metals), it could be assessed as a lower value product due to the lower content of potassium and phosphorus than the material obtained without earthworms.

Composting is becoming a more and more common way of biodegradable waste disposal. Composts should be characterized by high content of nutrients and low amount of pollutants. Vermicompost is a compost produced by overpopulated culture of earthworm Eisenia foetida (Savigny 1826). World scientific literature states that vermicompost has a high fertilizing value which often exceeds such value of conventional composts. The results showed that vermicompost has a much higher fertilizing value than the compost produced by the traditional pile method. However, prism vermicompost created with the participation of a less concentrated population of earthworms has an intermediate value as a fertilizer (nitrogen and heavy metals), it could be assessed as a lower value product due to the lower content of potassium and phosphorus than the material obtained without earthworms.

RESUMO A Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) é uma espécie vegetal com grande potencial de uso nos setores alimentício, medicinal e forrageiro, no processo de clareamento e descontaminação de água, produção de biocombustível, dentre outros. Técnicas de produção de mudas com uso de resíduos regionais são apropriadas para a introdução desta espécie em comunidades carentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as respostas nutricionais e de crescimento de mudas de moringa, cultivadas em substratos com diferentes concentrações de fibra da casca de coco verde (FCV), associadas a composto orgânico (CO). O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados. Foram testados dois compostos orgânicos: o composto de lixo urbano (CLU) e o vermicomposto (VC) associados a FCV em várias proporções volumétricas (CO:FCV): 0:100; 25:75; 50:50; 75:25 a 100:0%. Após 51 dias de cultivo, foi observado que o aumento da concentração de FCV em relação ao composto orgânico reduziu a altura, a massa da matéria seca, o Índice de Qualidade de Dickson e os conteúdos de N, P, K, Ca e Mg das mudas. Não houve diferença, para essas características comparando-se o uso do composto de lixo urbano e o do vermicomposto. Substratos com 100% de FCV e sem adubação complementar ocasionaram sintomas de deficiência de N nas mudas de moringa. ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera Lam. is a vegetal species with great potential to use as food, medicine and forage as well as water clarifying and decontamination agent, biofuel, among others. Low cost techniques for seedling production using regional residues are useful to introduce this species in low-income communities. This research aimed to evaluate the nutritional responses and growth of moringa seedlings cultivated in substrates with different concentrations of green coconut fiber (GCF) associated to organic compounds (OC). The experiment was performed in randomized blocks. Two organic compounds were tested: the urban waste compost (UWC) and earthworm compost (EC) associated with GCF in various volumetric proportions (OC: GCF): 0: 100; 25:75; 50:50; 75:25 and 100:0%. The data after 51 days of cultivation showed that the increase of the concentration of GCF in relation to the organic compound decreased height, dry biomass, Dickson Quality Index and the contents of N, P, K, Ca and Mg of the seedlings. There was no difference for these characteristics between the use of UWC and the EC. The substrate with 100% of GCF without complementary fertilizers caused symptoms of N deficiency in the moringa seedlings.

Organic matter has low N content; however, organic matter may be enriched by inoculation with selected diazotrophic bacteria. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the effects of biofertilizer produced by mixing different types and proportions of organic matter inoculated with the diazotrophic bacteria Beijerinckia indica. The experiment consisted of plastic trays (6 L) containing 5 kg of three different types of organic matter (filter mud cake, earthworm compost, and crop residue) applied in the following proportions (v:v:v): 1-(5:0:0), 2-(4:1:0), 3-(4:0:1), 4-(3:2:0), 5-(3:1:1), 6-(3:0:2), 7-(2:3:0), 8-(2:2:1), 9-(2:1:2), 10-(2:0:3), 11-(1:4:0), 12-(1:3:1), 13-(1:2:2), 14-(1:1:3), 15-(1:0:4), 16-(0:5:0), 17-(0:4:1), 18-(0:1:4), 19-(0:3:2), 20-(0:2:3), and 21-(0:0:5). Samples were collected following inoculation with B. indica at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of the maturation phase. The chemical analyses were: pH (H2O), total C and N, available P and K, and exchangeable Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2. The treatments with the best results showed significant effects following the maturation phase. The exceptions were C and N, which presented only individual effects. In general, the organic matter proportions (5:0:0), (3:2:0), and (2:3:0) resulted in a significant increase in the availability of nutrients. Biofertilizers with optimal organic matter proportions may be used to produce organic substrates that are more effective and have the potential to be applied as alternatives to soluble NPK fertilizers. RESUMO. A matéria orgânica de uma maneira geral apresenta baixa concentração de N; entretanto, material orgânico pode ser enriquecido por inoculação com bactérias diazotróficas selecionadas. O objetivo principal da pesquisa foi de avaliar os efeitos na produção de biofertilizante produzido com a mistura de vários materiais aplicados em diferentes proporções inoculados com a bactéria diazotrófica Beijerinckia indica, selecionada em trabalho prévio. O experimento utilizou vasos plásticos (6 L) contendo 5 kg da mistura de três diferentes materiais orgânicos (torta de filtro de usina, húmus de minhoca e resíduo de cultura) aplicados nas seguintes proporções (v:v:v): 1-(5:0:0), 2-(4:1:0), 3-(4:0:1), 4-(3:2:0), 5-(3:1:1), 6-(3:0:2), 7-(2:3:0), 8-(2:2:1), 9-(2:1:2), 10-(2:0:3), 11-(1:4:0), 12-(1:3:1), 13-(1:2:2), 14-(1:1:3), 15-(1:0:4), 16-(0:5:0), 17-(0:4:1), 18-(0:1:4) 19-(0:3:2), 20-(0:2:3) e 21-(0:0:5). Amostras foram coletadas após inoculação com B. indica durante o período de 0, 10, 20, 30, e 40 dias na fase de maturação. As análises químicas realizadas foram: pH (H2O), C e N total, P e K disponível, e Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2 trocáveis. Os tratamentos com os melhores resultados mostraram interação com efeitos significativos nas diferentes fases de maturação, com exceção do C e N total que só apresentaram efeitos individuais. De uma maneira geral as melhores proporções de materiais orgânicos foram (5:0:0), (3:2:0) e (2:3:0) que mostraram aumento significativo na disponibilidade de nutrientes. Biofertilizantes com melhores proporções de material orgânico podem ser utilizados para produzir substratos orgânicos mais efetivos e com potencial para uso alternativo a fertilizantes comerciais.

We investigated the effect of vermicompost on the germination and early development of six different progenies of the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.). We compared the effects of incorporating solid vermicompost into the potting media to those of vermicompost water extract to asses the extent of not physically-mediated positive effects. The incorporation of vermicompost in the growing media of maritime pine increased germination by 16%, and particularly, addition of vermicompost water extract produced the best results. Plants germinated with vermicompost showed higher N content as compared to control plants, and this could have determined the faster maturation of the treated seedlings. Since the best effects on pine germination were observed after application of vermicompost water extract, other mechanisms, rather than the physical amelioration of the substrate, such as the presence of water soluble nutrients and organic compounds (i.e. humic acids and plant growth regulating substances) in the vermicompost, might be involved in the promotion of germination. Variation in the response of the different pine progenies to vermicompost application was observed thereby confirming the necessity of taking into account genetic variability in order to study the potential of vermicompost and other biologically-active organic materials as a potting amendments., This research was financially supported by the Xunta de Galicia (Project 07MRU023383PR) and INIA (RTA07-100-00). Cristina Lazcano was financially supported by a grant from “Fundación la Caixa”.

[Synopsis] From respect of initial cost and running cost to method making of organic waste by brandling compost a generation of greenhouse gas little, and method of making advantageous organic waste compost. Moreover, exhausted earthworm manure provided with the condition as compost, and was suggested the possibility to be able to use for the number of microorganism groups to grow a lot of crops. Therefore, the clarified necessity was admitted in physiology morphology the influence on the growth of crops of earthworm manure in the future and amount.

Esta investigación se orientó a establecer la persistencia de virus, bacterias, mohos, levaduras y parásitos, en diferentes formas de utilización de porcinaza sólida. Se hizo un estudio de observación dirigida, analizado descriptivamente en tres granjas ubicadas en el centro-occidente de Colombia, donde se procesó porcinaza en secado, en ensilado, y se produjo lombricompuesto y harina de lombriz. Se muestreó la porcinaza fresca para analizar la presencia de 26 patógenos al comienzo del estudio y al finalizar las anteriores rutas, repitiéndose los muestreos en dos momentos en cada granja. Para el secado se ubicaron tres lechos bajo invernadero y se muestrearon cuando la humedad alcanzó 24-30%; para el ensilado se utilizaron tres microsilos por granja cargados con caña de azúcar y porcinaza fermentada con vitafert®, muestreándose a los 15 días (d). El lombricompostaje se realizó en lechos de madera, utilizando 2 kg de Lombriz (Eisenia foetida) y 50 kg de porcinaza; al término de 90 d se muestreó y se extrajo la lombriz para preparar harina. En la porcinaza fresca usada en ensilaje se encontraron 14 de los patógenos investigados, mientras que en la porcinaza usada en secado, lombricompostaje y harina se hallaron 13. No se encontraron virus. No hubo persistencia de parásitos en secado, ensilaje, ni harina. Staphylococcus aureus, mohos y levaduras no persistieron en secado ni harina; Salmonella spp. no persistió en ninguna ruta; Listeria monocytogenes solo persistió en el secado; Lawsonia intracellularis no persistió en lombricompostaje ni en harina; mesófilos aerobios, Clostridium sulfito-reductores, coliformes totales y Escherichia coli, persistieron en todas la rutas, pero no en todos los muestreos. La ruta más eficiente en la eliminación de patógenos fue la harina de lombriz. En este estudio, el lombricompostaje no mostró ser un buen medio de sanitización, mientras que el secado y el ensilaje pueden considerarse buenas estrategias para eliminar patógenos. The purpose of this research was to establish the persistence of viruses, bacteria, molds, yeasts, and parasites, in different ways of using the solid pig manure. A directed observational study, descriptively analyzed, was carried out in the Central- Western part of Colombia, where pig manure was processed in dryout, in silage, and earthworm compost and earthworm flour were produced. Fresh pig manure was sampled to analyse the presence of 26 pathogens at the beginning of the study and at the end of the above mentioned routes, repeating the samplings twice at each farm. For the dryout, three beds were allocated under greenhouse, and were sampled when the humidity reached 24-30%; for the silage, three microsilos were used per farm, loaded with sugar cane and pig manure with vitafert®, being sampled at 15 days (d). The earthworm compost was done in wooden beds, using 2 kg of earthworm (Eisenia foetida) and 50 kg of pig manure; at the end of 90 d it was sampled and the earthworms were extracted to prepare flour. Of the pathogens investigated, 14 were detected in the fresh pig manure used in the silage, while 13 were found in the one used in the dryout, earthworm compost and flour; no viruses were found; no parasites persisted in dryout, silage, nor in flour. Staphylococcus aureus, molds and yeasts did not persist in dryout or in flour; Salmonella spp. did not persist in any route; Listeria monocytogenes persisted only in dryout; Lawsonia intracellularis did not persist in earthworm compost, nor in flour; aerobic mesophilic, sulphite-reducing Clostridium, total coliforms and Escherichia coli persisted in all routes, but not in every sampling. The most efficient route for the elimination of pathogens was the earthworm flour. In this study the earthworm compost was not shown to be an adequate means of sanitation, whilst the dryout and the silage could be considered good strategies to eliminate pathogens. 208-218 Fhenao@ucaldas.edu.co

O efeito do substrato comercial Plantmax®; e sua combinação com solo e areia, foi avaliado de acordo com a resposta biológica de três culturas olerícolas (alface, pepino e pimentão), sendo o experimento conduzido em casa de vegetação na ESALQ/USP em Piracicaba de abril a junho de 1996. Os tratamentos consistiram do substrato comercial Plantmax®; e da mistura deste com areia, com solo, na proporção 1:1 em volume, e mistura dos três, proporção 1:1:1. O substrato Plantmax®; propiciou menor velocidade de emergência para alface e pepino e maior para pimentão. Resultou, também, em maior altura de plântulas nas três diferentes culturas. O menor comprimento de raízes das três olerícolas foi obtido com o substrato Plantmax®; + solo + areia. A maior produção de matéria seca de plântulas e raízes de alface e de pimentão foram obtidas com o substrato Plantmax®;. Por outro lado, a menor produção de matéria seca foi obtida com a mistura dos três componentes para a cultura do pepino. O desempenho obtido nas misturas de Plantmax®; com solo ou com areia, indicam ser uma alternativa técnica viável ao uso de substratos comerciais The effect of commercial substrate Plantmax®; and it's combination with soil and sand, was evaluated according to the biological response of three vegetable crops (lettuce, cucumber and sweet pepper). The experiment was carried out in plastic tunnels, at ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba-SP, from April to June, 1996. The treatments consisted of the commercial substrate Plantmax®;, the mixture of Plantmax®; with sand, Plantmax®;with soil and the mixture of Plantmax®;with both soil and sand. Lower lettuce and cucumber seedlings emergence and faster sweet pepper seedlings emergence were observed with Plantmax®; substrate. It also resulted in bigger size of seedlings of these three different plant species. Smaller roots of these three species were observed with the mixture of Plantmax®; plus soil plus sand. Higher production of seedling dry matter in lettuce and sweet pepper was obtained with the Plantmax®; substrate. Lower cucumber seedling dry matter production was obtained with the mixture of these three substrates. The performance obtained with the mixture of Plantmax®; with soil or sand, indicates it as a viable alternative to the use of commercial substrate

O efeito do substrato comercial Plantmax®; e sua combinação com solo e areia, foi avaliado de acordo com a resposta biológica de três culturas olerícolas (alface, pepino e pimentão), sendo o experimento conduzido em casa de vegetação na ESALQ/USP em Piracicaba de abril a junho de 1996. Os tratamentos consistiram do substrato comercial Plantmax®; e da mistura deste com areia, com solo, na proporção 1:1 em volume, e mistura dos três, proporção 1:1:1. O substrato Plantmax®; propiciou menor velocidade de emergência para alface e pepino e maior para pimentão. Resultou, também, em maior altura de plântulas nas três diferentes culturas. O menor comprimento de raízes das três olerícolas foi obtido com o substrato Plantmax®; + solo + areia. A maior produção de matéria seca de plântulas e raízes de alface e de pimentão foram obtidas com o substrato Plantmax®;. Por outro lado, a menor produção de matéria seca foi obtida com a mistura dos três componentes para a cultura do pepino. O desempenho obtido nas misturas de Plantmax®; com solo ou com areia, indicam ser uma alternativa técnica viável ao uso de substratos comerciaisThe effect of commercial substrate Plantmax®; and it's combination with soil and sand, was evaluated according to the biological response of three vegetable crops (lettuce, cucumber and sweet pepper). The experiment was carried out in plastic tunnels, at ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba-SP, from April to June, 1996. The treatments consisted of the commercial substrate Plantmax®;, the mixture of Plantmax®; with sand, Plantmax®;with soil and the mixture of Plantmax®;with both soil and sand. Lower lettuce and cucumber seedlings emergence and faster sweet pepper seedlings emergence were observed with Plantmax®; substrate. It also resulted in bigger size of seedlings of these three different plant species. Smaller roots of these three species were observed with the mixture of Plantmax®; plus soil plus sand. Higher production of seedling dry matter in lettuce and sweet pepper was obtained with the Plantmax®; substrate. Lower cucumber seedling dry matter production was obtained with the mixture of these three substrates. The performance obtained with the mixture of Plantmax®; with soil or sand, indicates it as a viable alternative to the use of commercial substrate

Considerando a necessidade de substratos para a produção de mudas de alface e a existência de diversos substratos comerciais e indicações para a formulação destes, foram avaliados nove substratos hortícolas para produção de mudas de alface sob estufa plástica. Os tratamentos consistiram de três testemunhas, sendo dois substratos comerciais (Plantmax e Planta Forte) e um recomendado pelo órgão oficial de assistência técnica (EMATER-RS), comparados a seis formulados a partir de solo podzólico vermelho amarelo (S) ou turfa "Petrolini" (T) misturados em três proporções em base de volume (1:3, 1:1, 3:1) de vermicomposto (V). Avaliaram-se as propriedades físicas, químicas e físico-química dos tratamentos, respostas biológicas das mudas, assim como a viabilidade técnica e econômica da produção de alguns substratos na propriedade agrícola. Segundo estes critérios, as melhores respostas foram obtidas para os substratos S75V25, S50V50 e S25V75, os quais apresentaram maiores vantagens comparativas em relação às testemunhas e demais substratos. O bom desempenho alcançado pelos substratos formulados, indica ser sua produção, na propriedade, uma alternativa técnicamente viável em substituição ao uso de substratos comerciais.The purpose of this work was to evaluate nine substrates for lettuce plug-type transplants production under plastic greenhouse. Two commercial substrates (Plantmax and Planta Forte) and one mixture recommended by the extension service (EMATER-RS) were compared with six formulated mixtures from "red-yellow podzolic soil" (S) or peat "Petrolini" (T) mixed in three different proportions on a volume/volume bases (1:3, 1:1, 3:1), with an earthworm compost (V). The physical and chemical proprieties of each treatment and the biological response were evaluated, as well as the technical and economical feasibility of producing these substrates in the farm. Best responses were obtained with S75V25, S50V50 e S25V75 mixtures. These substrates can substitute with advantage the two commercial substrates and the mixture recommended by extension service.

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação orgânica na produção de pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.), cultivar Nacional AG 506, foram conduzidos dois experimentos: um em casa-de-vegetação e outro a campo na área experimental do Centro Agropecuário da UFES em Alegre (ES), no período de março a outubro de 1994. Em casa-de-vegetação foram avaliados seis níveis de vermicomposto (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 e 1000 g por vaso) associados à ausência e presença de adubação química. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições de uma planta por vaso. Após 45 dias foram avaliados o peso da matéria seca da parte aérea e da raiz. No campo, 12 t/ha de vermicomposto (600 g/cova) foram comparados com 20 t/ha (1000 g/cova) de esterco de curral, na ausência e presença de adubação química. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições de dez plantas por parcela. Por meio de regressão linear, determinou-se que em casa-de-vegetação, a máxima produção de matéria seca da parte aérea foi obtida com a aplicação de 561,9 g/vaso de vermicomposto e das raízes com 323,1 g/vaso, ocorrendo pequenos decréscimos em doses mais elevadas. No experimento de campo a adubação orgânica aumentou a produção em 7,0 t/ha em relação à testemunha adubada apenas com adubo químico. Não houve diferenças significativas entre as fontes de matéria orgânica (vermicomposto e esterco de curral).With the objective of evaluating the effects of the organic fertilization in the production of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar Nacional AG 506, two experiments were carried out: one experiment in the greenhouse and other at the Agricultural Center of the Federal University of Espirito Santo (CAUFES) Experimental Station, in the city of Alegre, Brazil, from March to October, 1994. In the greenhouse six levels of earthworm compost were tested (0, 220, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 g/pot) associated with the absence or presence of chemical fertilization. The experiments were set up in a complete randomized blocks design, with five replications. Only one plant was used per pot. After 45 days the dry matter production of plant tops and roots was evaluated. In the field 12 t/ha of earthworm compost (600 g per pot) were compared with 20 t/ha (1000 g per pot) of cattle manure, in the absence and presence of chemical fertilization. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design, with four replications of ten plants per plot. In greenhouse the maximum top dry weight was obtained with 561.9 g/pot of earthworm compost and with 323.1 g/pot for maximum root dry weight. Decrease in dry weight production was observed when higher amounts of earthworm compost were used. In a field experiment, sweet pepper production with organic fertilization was 7.0 t/ha higher when compared to chemical fertilization. There was no significant difference among sources of organic fertilization (earthworm compost and cattle manure)

The organic growing production is increasing in the Dominican Republic due to a higher demand of healthier foods. A trial was set at Universidad ISA to evaluate the effects of the combination of chemical fertilizer and humus from earthworm on Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete blocks design with five treatment combinations and four repetitions. The treatment combination were 0 chemical fertilizer-3612.39 kg/ha of humus; 118.3 kg/ha chemical fertilizer- 2708.33 kg/ha humus; 237.91 kg/ha chemical fertilizer -1805.55 kg/ha humus; 356.22 kg/ha chemical fertilizer-902.77 kg/ha humus; 475.82 kg/ha chemical fertilizer-0 kg/ha humus. The chemical fertilizer formula was Ν (12)-P(24)-K(12). It was applied to the crop eight times during the growing period while the humus from earthworm was applied once at 30 day after the planting. The evaluated variables were fruit yield, length (cm), diameter (cm), number of fruit per plant, fruit weight and profit. The results show that the fruit yield had higher at 15days with 3612.39 kg/ha of humus and 0 chemical fertilizers, however, the total production of Ivy gourd fruit was no significantly different among the treatments. The fruit diameter was increased by the application of 237.91 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 1805.55kg/ha of humus of earthworm. The data of this study suggest that the humus of earthworm may substitute the chemical fertilizer in the Ivy gourd production.

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação orgânica na produção de pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.), cultivar Nacional AG 506, foram conduzidos dois experimentos: um em casa-de-vegetação e outro a campo na área experimental do Centro Agropecuário da UFES em Alegre (ES), no período de março a outubro de 1994. Em casa-de-vegetação foram avaliados seis níveis de vermicomposto (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 e 1000 g por vaso) associados à ausência e presença de adubação química. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições de uma planta por vaso. Após 45 dias foram avaliados o peso da matéria seca da parte aérea e da raiz. No campo, 12 t/ha de vermicomposto (600 g/cova) foram comparados com 20 t/ha (1000 g/cova) de esterco de curral, na ausência e presença de adubação química. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições de dez plantas por parcela. Por meio de regressão linear, determinou-se que em casa-de-vegetação, a máxima produção de matéria seca da parte aérea foi obtida com a aplicação de 561,9 g/vaso de vermicomposto e das raízes com 323,1 g/vaso, ocorrendo pequenos decréscimos em doses mais elevadas. No experimento de campo a adubação orgânica aumentou a produção em 7,0 t/ha em relação à testemunha adubada apenas com adubo químico. Não houve diferenças significativas entre as fontes de matéria orgânica (vermicomposto e esterco de curral). With the objective of evaluating the effects of the organic fertilization in the production of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivar Nacional AG 506, two experiments were carried out: one experiment in the greenhouse and other at the Agricultural Center of the Federal University of Espirito Santo (CAUFES) Experimental Station, in the city of Alegre, Brazil, from March to October, 1994. In the greenhouse six levels of earthworm compost were tested (0, 220, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 g/pot) associated with the absence or presence of chemical fertilization. The experiments were set up in a complete randomized blocks design, with five replications. Only one plant was used per pot. After 45 days the dry matter production of plant tops and roots was evaluated. In the field 12 t/ha of earthworm compost (600 g per pot) were compared with 20 t/ha (1000 g per pot) of cattle manure, in the absence and presence of chemical fertilization. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design, with four replications of ten plants per plot. In greenhouse the maximum top dry weight was obtained with 561.9 g/pot of earthworm compost and with 323.1 g/pot for maximum root dry weight. Decrease in dry weight production was observed when higher amounts of earthworm compost were used. In a field experiment, sweet pepper production with organic fertilization was 7.0 t/ha higher when compared to chemical fertilization. There was no significant difference among sources of organic fertilization (earthworm compost and cattle manure)