01955naa a2200205 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001902200140006010000210007424501240009526000090021952013240022865000170155265000100156965000110157965000210159065000150161170000180162677301050164419510042026-01-21       2012    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d  a0976-37081 aZANDONADI, D. B.  aVermicompost humic substancesbtechnology for converting pollution into plant growth regulators.h[electronic resource]  c2012  aThe current global increase in human population represents an important environmental challenge with accompanying demand for consumption of food and goods which in turn results in the generation of tons of wastes. Food production to meet the need of this teeming populace on one hand, and reduction of ecological footprint on the other, represent two sides of the same coin that are hard to confront simultaneously. The use of non-renewable sources of nutrients and oil-based energy in the production of fertilizers, which are used to enhance production, does not promote sustainable development, since it affects global food security and increases entropy. It has therefore become necessary to employ alternative ways that improve productivity without causing environment degradation. The conversion of organic waste into fertilizers through vermicomposting (or earthworm composting) is one of such alternatives. The use of vermicomposting and its products represents a crucial ecofriendly technology capable of recycling organic wastes to be used as fertilizers. Through its hormone-like substances, vermicompost, liquid humus or worm bed leachate stimulates plant growth. Additionally, manipulation of microbial population present in vermicompost and its products may increase both nutrient content and availability.  aFertilizante  aHumus  aInsumo  aMateria organica  aTecnologia1 aBUSATO, J. G.  tInternational Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering Researchgv. 3, n. 2, p. 73-84, 2012.