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Effect of Vermicompost on the Growth and Yield of Cauliflower in Acid Soil of Bangladesh

S Ali*
Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

MA Kashem and
Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

MMH Sarker
Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted at South Surma upazila of Sylhet district to evaluate the effect of vermicompost, cowdung and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceavar. botrytis L.) in acid soil. The experiment comprised of four treatments viz.T1 = 135-60-135-21-3-1.5 kg ha^-1 of N-P-K-S-Zn-B, T2 = T1+ Cowdung (5 t ha^-1), T3 = T1+ Vermicompost (5 t ha-1) and T4 = Vermicompost (10 t ha^-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results on growth parameters recorded at 15, 30 and 45 DAT showed significant variation in different growth and yield contributing characters. The tallest plant (24.47 cm) was recorded at 45 DAT in T3 treatment. The same treatment at 30 DAT produced the highest number of leaves plant^-¹ (8.33) while T4 had the lowest number of leaves plant^-¹ (5.93). The longest length and breadth of the largest leaf and spreading of plants were recorded 19.60, 10.03 and 16.53 cm at 45 DAT in T3, respectively. The highest curd yield (29.72 t ha^-1) was recorded in T3 treatment. Post-harvest soil analysis showed higher amount of organic matter, total N, available P, exchangeable K and available S contents than in initial soil. This might be due to residual effect of vermicompost. The results revealed that vermicompost addition with recommended dose of chemical fertilizers T3 performed better compared to only inorganic fertilizers.

Keywords: Organic fertilizers, Inorganic fertilizers, Chemical composition of fertilizer and soil

Location: South Surma upazila of Sylhet district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Vermicompost and vermiculture, Cauliflower

Objectives:

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers + cowdung and inorganic fertilizers + vermicompost and vermicompost only on the growth and yield of cauliflower in acid soil.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at South Surma upazila of Sylhet district during the period of November 2017 to March 2018. Four treatments were used in the experiment which were T1 = 135-60-135-21-3-1.5 kg ha-1of N-P-K-S-Zn-B (dose indicated in the Fertilizer Recommendation Guide of BARC 2012), T2 = T1+ Cowdung (5 t ha^-1), T3 = T1+ Vermicompost (5 t ha^-1) and T4 = Vermicompost (10 t ha^-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Candid Charm, a hybrid variety of cauliflower was used as test crop. Three weeks old seedlings of cauliflower were transplanted on 28 November 2017. The distance between row to row was 50 cm and plant to plant was 60 cm. The unit plot size was 3 m × 2 m. Cowdung was applied five days before final land preparation according to treatment. The whole amount of vermicompost, TSP, MoP, gypsum, zinc sulphate and solubor boron were well mixed at the time of final land preparation and urea was top dressed in three equal splits at 10, 25 and 45 days after transplanting (DAT). Very few seedlings were damaged after transplanting and such gaps were filled by healthy seedlings from the same stock planted earlier on the border of the experimental plot. Daily irrigation was given to establish the seedlings for seven day after seedlings transplanting. The seedlings were transplanted with a mass of soil with roots to minimize the transplanting shock. Weeding was done after 20, 35 and 50 DAT. The experimental plots received irrigation at 25, 35 and 45 DAT. Other cultural operations were performed as and when necessary. Crop harvesting was started on 13 February 2018 and continued till 25 February 2018. The growth parameters recorded at 15, 30 and 45 DAT. The data pertaining to plant height (cm), number of leaves plant^-1, length of the largest leaf (cm), breadth of the largest leaf (cm), spreading area of plant (cm), root length (cm), fresh weight of root (g), stem length (cm), fresh weight of stem (g), fresh weight of whole plant (g plant^-1), fresh weight of leaves (g plant^-1), fresh weight of curd (g plant^-1), diameter of curd (cm), thickness of curd (cm) were recorded randomly selected from 5 cauliflower plants. Yield of cauliflower was recorded from whole plot (kg plot^-1) and it was converted to t ha^-1. Initial and post-harvested soils were collected from experimental site. The soils, cowdung and vermicompost were chemically analyzed in the laboratory following the standard methods. Data on growth and yield contributing characters were taken and statistically analyzed following ‘R’ software package (R Core Team, 2017). The mean differences of the treatments were observed by least significant difference (LSD) test at different level of probability for the interpretation of results (Gomez and Gomez, 1984). Nutrients status of vermicompost was higher than cowdung. The soil quality includes soil reaction (pH) and mineral nutrient elements.

Source of Information: J. Sylhet Agril. Univ. 5(1):37 -43, 2018 ISSN: 2308-1597

Article Link (Online Journal): www.jsau.com.bd

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Vermicompost is a naturally produced organic fertilizer. Therefore, vermicompost in addition to inorganic fertilizers ensured favorable chemical properties of soil for the production of cauliflower. Hence it can be concluded that the application of vermicompost with recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers is suitable for the proper growth and the highest yield of cauliflower.

Knowledge Management: Journal