Evaluation of the use of vermicompost on the crop production of two varieties of Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and on the soil structure in Suriname

Abstract

Abstract. Ramnarain YI, Ori L, Ansari AA. 2017. Evaluation of the use of vermicompost on the crop production of two varieties of Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and on the soil structure in Suriname. Asian J Agric 1: 73-79. The present research was carried out from January to May 2016 at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo. The investigation consisted of a field and laboratory study in order to evaluate the effect of vermicompost on crop production of 2 varieties Brassica rapa var. chinensis, white and green Pak choi, nutrient availability in the soil after the use of vermicompost and nutrient value of the crop.The experiment was carried out (Completely Randomized Block Design) in a greenhouse for six weeks. The treatments were vermicompost (V), cow manure (S), chemical fertilizer (K) and control (C). Plant growth parameters were recorded during the experiment (plant height and number of leaves) and after harvest (root and shoot biomass, leaf area). Nutrient analysis (Ca and Fe) of Pak choi was also conducted followed by pre and post experiment soil analysis (pH, EC, TOC, N, P, K and C/N ratio). The results were collected and analyzed using Sigma Plot 12.0 tools. In the white Pak choi, the number of leaves, root length and weight of fresh plants showed no significant differences among the four treatments using Tukey's test (P≤0.05). In the green Pak choi the number of leaves and root length showed no significant differences among the four treatments by Tukey's test (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the soil parameters (pH, OC, N) did not indicate a significant increase or decrease of the elements in the soil. P did decrease significantly and K increase in the treatments in the soil was not relevant. The evaluation of the use of vermicompost on the crop production of 2 varieties of Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) proved that the plants treated with vermicompost had similar results as those treated with cow manure and chemical fertilizer.

Sustainable Valorisation of Biowaste for Soilless Cultivation of Salvia Officinalis in a Circular Bioeconomy

“…Tharmaraj et al (2011) [18] and Indira et al (2010) [19] also reported the enhancement of growth and biometric parameters such as leaf area, fresh and dry weight in vermicompost added black gram cultivation. A significant rise in plant width, leaf number, size and width, as well as fresh weight, was observed by increasing the doses of vermicompost applied to lettuce cultivation [20,21].…”

Vermicomposting—Facts, Benefits and Knowledge Gaps

“…When generally speaking about improved plant growth and development, in substrate enriched with vermicompost, it is primarily due to the presence of humic acids (HAs) [47][48][49] and different micro-and macro-nutrients [50], which are converted during vermicomposting into more plant-available forms.…”

Organic Cowpea “Vigna unguiculatea” Production by Smart Agritechnique of Organic Fertilizers Mixture ”OFM” and Vermitea Levels and Beneficial Microbes “BM”

“…Interaction between red wiggler worm and microbes in chicken manure, cow dump and plant composted to increase the biodegradation of red wiggler intestine for producing the bio-organic fertilizer. They contain macro and micro nutrients in plant available, vitamins, plant regulators and hormone for initial healthy plant growth (Yadavi et al, 2014;Ramnarin et al, 2018 and. As well as, MOF have large surface areas lead to provide many sites for beneficial microbial activity and for strong retention of nutrients (Ye et al, 2019).…”

“…Chemical fertilizer causes environmental hazards; surface water pollution by nitrate leaching (Yadavi et al, 2014 andYe et al, 2019;Gao et al, 2020 and. Usage of chemicals "fertilizers and pesticides" should be prevent by the recycling of different organic wastes by composting or vermicomposting processes (Ramnarin et al, 2018 andGao et al, 2020).…”