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Effect of Vermicompost on Tomato Yield and Soil Fertility (2018-19)

M. M. MASUD

R. SEN
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

S. AKHTER
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. A. HOSSAIN
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This paper reports the influence of vermicomposts prepared from cow dung on the growth and yield of tomato. A total of seven treatments viz. T₁=100% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDCF), T₂=80% RDCF, T₃=60% RDCF, T₄=100% RDCF + vermicompost (VC) @ 1.5 t ha^-1, T₅= 80% RDCF + VC @ 3 t ha^-1, T₆= 60% RDCF + VC @ 6 t ha^-1 and T₇= absolute control. Three years results on the growth and yield parameters of the tomato showed that the VC had the significant effect on plant height, number of fruits plant^-1, length and breadth of fruit, individual fruit weight and fresh fruit yield. Highest average fruit yield of 75.1 t ha^-1 was recorded in T₄treatment [100% RDCF + vermicompost (VC) @ 1.5 t ha^-1]. The highest gross margin (Tk. 568625/ha/year) and marginal gross margin (Tk. 474025/ha) was obtained from T₄ treatment with a MBCR 14.64. The highest total organic carbon was obtained where higher dose of VC applied, which leads to an increase in soil organic carbon. It was concluded that addition of VC showed increased plant available nutrients in postharvest soil which improve soil health and synergistic effects on growth and yield of tomato.

Keywords: Vermicopost, Soil fertility, Tomato, Soil health

Location: BARI Central Research Station, Joydebpur

Start Date: 00-00-2015

End Date: 00-00-2018

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Vermicompost and vermiculture, Tomato

Objectives:

To identify the optimum application rate(s) of VC (Vermicompost) on tomato yield in Grey Terrace Soil of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

An experiment was conducted at BARI Central Research Station, Gazipur, to determine the effects of vermicompost on tomato yield and soil during the rabi seasons of 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. The tested crop was tomato (cv. BARI Tomato-14). The initial soil samples at a depth of 0-15 cm from the experimental field was collected and analyzed following standard methods. Preparation of Vermicompost (VC): Cow dung (CD) was used as raw material to prepare vermicompost (VC). Chari were used under a shed open from all sides in the green house for vermicomposting of CD. Earthworms (Eisenia foetida) were added in each chari. The nutrient status of harvested VC used in this experiment were determined. Fertilizer and Treatments: The experiment was conducted with seven treatments replicated three times. The unit plot size was 3m × 2m. “BARI Tomato-14” tomato seeds were germinated in seed bed and transplanted into experimental field on November, 2016-2018 with a spacing of 60 cm from row to row and 40 cm from plant to plant. Irrigation was given as and when necessary. Recommended dose of fertilizer for the crop was N₁₂₀P₄₅K₆₀S₃₀B₁kg ha^-1. Urea, TSP, MP, Gypsum and Boric acid were used as a source of N, P, K, S and B, respectively. All P, K, S, B and VC, and ¹/₃ N were applied at the time of final land preparation and the remaining ²/₃ N was applied in two equal installments at 25 and 45 days after transplanting. All the intercultural operations such as irrigation, weeding, insect control etc. were done as and when necessary. Treatments were: T₁= 100% Recommended Dose of Chemical Fertilizer (RDCF); T₂= 80% RDCF; T₃= 60% RDCF; T₄= 100% RDCF+ VC @ 1.5 t ha^-1;T₅= 80% RDCF+ VC @ 3 t ha^-1;T₆= 60% RDCF+ VC @ 6 t ha^{-1; and}T₇= Absolute control. Growth and yield parameters: Ten randomly selected plant of each treatment were tagged at random to take records on different agronomic parameters of tomato. Various yield parameters like plant height (cm), number of fruits plant^-1, single fruit weight (g), fruit diameter (cm), fruit length (cm), fruit yield plant^-1 and fruit yield ha^-1 were recorded at the termination of experiment. The height of each plant was measured from the soil line to the tip of the tomato main plant stem. The fruit diameter and length was recorded using slide calipers. Carbon Stock analysis: Composite soil samples were collected from soil surface at depth of 0-30cm. Soil parameters were determined for soil bulk density using the core sampling method (Blake, 1965) and soil organic carbon (SOC) before the experiment and at the end of the three year cropping. SOC stock) was estimated with the following equation by Milne. SOC stock= SOC content of soil x BD x A x D; Carbon accumulation (t ha^-1) = Final C stock (t ha^-1) – Initial C stock (t ha^-1); Where: SOC stock= soil organic carbon stock (tons ha^-1); SOC content of soil= soil organic carbon content of soil (%), BD=bulk density, Area= area of farm (m²) and D= soil sampling depth (m). Statistical analysis: Data on yield and yield contributing parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed with the help of statistical package Statistix 10 (Analytical Software) and mean separation was tested by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Methods of chemical analyses: Soil pH was measured by a combined glass calomel electrode. Organic carbon was determined by wet oxidation method. Total N was determined by modified Kjeldahl method. Ca and Mg were determined by KCl extractable method. K, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were determined by NaHCO₃extraction followed by AAS reading. Boron was determined by CaCl₂ extraction method. Phosphorus was determined by Bray and Kurtz method while S by turbidimetric method with BaCl₂. Plant sampling and analysis: The vegetables were harvested after physiological maturity, and the yields were recorded. The plant samples were collected, dried and digested with H₂SO₄ and H₂O₂, and the P concentration in the digest was determined colourimetrically using the vanado-molybdate- yellow colour method.

Source of Information: Annual Report 2018-2019, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From three years experimental result, it can be concluded that vermicompost is efficient in tomato cultivation. The treatment package consists of 1.5 t Vermicompost ha^-1 with 100% RDCF (N₁₂₀P₄₅K₆₀S₃₀B₁kg ha^-1) appeared as the best suited combination for maximizing yield of tomato in the study area (AEZ-28). The highest gross margin (Tk. 568625 ha^-1 year^-1) and marginal gross margin (Tk. 474025 ha^-1) was obtained from T₄ treatment (100% RD + 1.5 t ha^-1 VC) with a MBCR 14.64. Residual effect of vermicompost showed increased plant available nutrients in postharvest soil which improve soil health.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings