Influence of Integrated Supply of Vermicompost and Zinc‐Eniched Compost with Two Graded Levels of Iron and Zinc on the Productivity of Geranium

Abstract

Two pot experiments under greenhouse condition were carried out to study the influence of vermicompost and zinc-enriched compost with two levels of iron and zinc on the productivity of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Joint application of vermicompost and zinc-enriched compost was effective in increasing the herb and oil yield over sole application of iron and zinc. Combined application of vermicompost and zinc-enriched compost gave better herb and oil yield in both the experiments. With application of vermicompost and zinc-enriched compost with two graded levels of iron, higher N, P, and K concentrations were observed with application of vermicompost (5 g kg 21 ), vermicompost (5 g kg 21 ), and Fe 12.5 ppm þ Znenriched compost 2.5 g kg 21 soil, respectively, over control. Highest reduction in soil pH was observed with an application of vermicompost at 5 g kg 21 soil; maximum soil organic carbon content was also recorded in the same treatment. In experiment II, joint application of vermicompost, zinc-enriched compost, and graded levels of zinc recorded highest N, P, and K concentration with treatments of Zn (15 ppm) þ vermicompost (2.5 g kg 21 ), vermicompost (5 g kg 21 ), and Zn (15 ppm) þ vermicompost (2.5 g kg 21 soil), respectively. Nitrogen, P, and K content increased by 36, 125, and 305%, respectively, with these treatments over the control.Chemical constituents of geranium oil such as cis-rose oxide, isomenthone, linalool, citronellyl, geranylformate, geranyl, and epi-g-eudesmol were significantly improved by combined application of Zn with vermicompost and Zn-enriched compost as compared to sole application of Zn. Similar effects were observed with Fe in combination with vermicompost and Zn-enriched compost on most of the chemical constituents of geranium oil. Physicochemical properties of the soil were also improved as macro-and micronutrient availability markedly increased in both the experiments because of combined application of vermicompost and Zn-enriched compost with two levels of Zn and Fe.

The Effect of Vermicompost and NPK Fertilizer on Yield, Growth Parameters and Essential Oil of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

“…In general, with increasing vegetative growth showed it is effect in increasing the seed yield. Our findings are in accordance with Chand et al, 2007;Sanchez et al, 2008.…”

Herbage yield and bioactive principle of senna as influenced by micronutrient application in soil

“…Similar results were observed where significant build-up of micronutrient in soil was found after application of micronutrient salts (Basak, 2017). The integrated application of vermicompost and Zn enriched compost was found to improve Zn and other micronutrient content in soil (Chand ., 2007). This study indicates that application Zn, Fe and Mn @ 5 mg kg soil and Cu @ 2.5 mg kg is optimum for maintaining available micronutrient status in soil after harvesting of senna.…”

Effects of Vermicompost on Plant Growth and Soil Structure

“…In case of using Vermicompost with inorganic fertilizers, soil productivity can be increased thanks to organic carbon, active hormones and some enzymes provided to the soil. In addition, it also has a positive effect on the uptake of inorganic fertilizers by plants (Anwar et al, 2007). This issue has been discussed in more detail in the section on the effects of compost on soil structure and plant growth.…”

“…It is stated that the vermicompost encourages the development of the plant in vegetable plants such as tomatoes (Atiyeh et al, 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2001, Gutierrez-Miceli et al, 2007), pepper (Aracon et al, 2004a, Aracon et al, 2005), garlic (Argüello et al, 2006, eggplant (Gajalakshmi andAbbasi, 2004), strawberry (Aracon et al, 2004b), sweet corn (Lazcano et al, 2011) and green beans (Karmegam et al, 1999). Vermicompost products have also been shown to be effective in the production and yield of certain medical aromatic plants (Anwar et al, 2005), cereals such as sorghum and rice (Bhattacharjee, 2001, Reddy and Ohkura, 2004, Sunil et al, 2005, fruits such as bananas and melons (Cabanas-Echevarria et al, 2005, Acevedo andPire, 2004), and ornamental plants such as geranium (Chand et al, 2007), marigold (Atiyeh et al, 2002 and petunia (Aracon et al, 2008). Forest species such as acacia, eucalyptus and pine trees (Lazcano et al, 2010a(Lazcano et al, , 2010b also have positive effects with vermicompost application.…”

“…In addition, it is indicated that the plant could not use the phosphorus in the same amount when it was applied without vermicompost when compared to the phosphorus applied with vermicompost (Amyanpoori et al, 2015). Zinc-enriched vermicompost has been reported to have increased the yield in a ratio of 100-113% in plants treated with vermicompost compared to the untreated plants in studies on the effect of vermicompost on the geranium plants' grass and oil yield (Chand et al, 2007).…”