Effect of Vermicompost on the Productivity of Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Turnip (Brassica campestris)

Present investigations were carried out during 1998-2000 at Shivri farm of Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigam, Lucknow, India, to study the effect of vermicompost application in reclaimed sodic soils on the productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and turnip (Brassica campestris). The soil quality was monitored during the experiment followed by productivity. The treatments were 4, 5 and 6 tonnes/ha of vermicompost as soil application in plots already reclaimed by Vermitechnology. Among the different dosages of vermicompost applied there has been a significant improvement in the soil quality of plots amended with vermicompost @ 6 tonnes per ha. The overall productivity of vegetable crops during the two years of the trial was significantly greater in plots treated with vermicompost @ 6 tonnes per ha. The present investigation showed that the requirement of vermicompost for leafy crops like spinach was lower (4 tonnes/ha), whereas that for tuber crops like potato and turnip was higher (6 tonnes/ha).