# Properties of Vermicomposts Derived from Cameroon Sheep Dung
## 3 Results and Discussion
### Macronutrient Content  
Both the dung and the vermicomposts produced had a high Ca content. This macro-element (Ca) is important for soils and crops. According to the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG) [63], approximately 49.7% of the examined soil samples required liming (including Malopolska Province 77.5%, Podkarpacie Province 73.4% and Kujawy-Pomorze Province 26.5%). In Poland, approximately 60% of arable soils require liming and approximately 20% of soils exhibit Mg, Zn, Mnand Cu deficiencies [4]. The application of lime depends on the agronomic category of soil (very light, light, medium or heavy).  
Deficiency of P in the soil restricts plant growth and development. Vermicomposting increased the content of P for plants in vermicomposts compared to the base material (\(p<0.05\)). According to [PERSON] et al. [69], during the process of vermicomposting in the gastrointestinal tract of earthworms, the P content increases with the participation of alkaline bacteria. Earthworms change insoluble P to a soluble form via the phosphatase enzyme present in their gut [19]. The increase in available forms of P in vermicompost increase the content of P in the soil at a pH close to neutral. In the case of pH values outside of 5-7, there will most probably be retrograde motion (that is reversible) of easily assimilate forms of P [70].  
[PERSON] et al. [18] noticed that vermicompost (generated from manure) caused better assimilation of P by the plant _Lagenaria siceraria_ in comparison to crops without fertilization and with cattle manure fertilization. Similar results were obtained by [PERSON] et al. [38] in pineapple cultivation where, after six months, he noticed that the P from the vermicompost was the most assimilable.  
The content of the total forms of macro-elements, such as K, in vermicomposts significantly increased compared to the base dung (\(p<0.05\)). An increased K level in vermicompost indicates the increased rate of mineralization of organic compounds containing K [71]. This is beneficial because light soils, frequently acidified, are very poor in available K. This is also interesting, in the process of vermicomposting, despite the increase in the content of K and a more or less constant level of Ca, the salinity decreased. Salinity was determined on the basis of the specific conductivity of vermicompost suspension in water, so the value of this parameter (and its estimated salinity) is influenced by various ions, including those not tested and not specified in the work. Maybe the primary substrates used for composting were different from K + and Ca 2+ charge carriers--acids or salts, for example in the form of organic compounds--that have been mineralized. This could be an interesting starting point for further studies.  
In vermicomposts, compared to the dung, the content of total P increased (\(p<0.05\)), whereas Mg content decreased (\(p<0.05\)).  
The vermicompost derived from Cameroon sheep dung, in comparison to cattle manure-based vermicomposts, contained more N, P and Mg, and less Ca [72], more N, P and K [73], more C, N and P, and less P and Mg [74].