Effect of Vermicompost on Growth, Yield and Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L)

Cattle dung vermicompost (VC) was used to prepare different proportions of soil and vermicompost mixtures viz. Soil (control), VC15 (Soil+15% VC), VC30 (Soil+30% VC), VC45 (Soil+45% VC). Vermicompost was chemically analysed for various parameters like pH, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Total Available Phosphorous (TAP), Total Sodium (TNa), Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Electric Conductivity (EC). Germination percentage was noticed for each treatment. Randomly selected seedlings from each treatment were transplanted in pots containing same treatments as in trays. Various growth and yield parameters like mean stem diameter, mean plant height, yield/plant, marketable yield/plant, mean leaf number, total plant biomass were recorded for each treatment. Various quality parameters like ascorbic acid, titrable acidity, soluble solids, insoluble solids and pH were recorded for tomatoes from each treatment. Germination percentage was found the maximum at VC15 treatment that decreased in the subsequent treatments. Almost all the growth, yield and quality parameters increased significantly as compared to control, though the increase within the treatments was not found to be significant. Key word: Vermicompost Growth Tomato Cattle dung Pots Eisenia foetida INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS In today’s era, heavy doses of chemical fertilizers Pots experiment was carried out in the Botanical and pesticides are being used by the farmers to get a Garden of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. better yield of various field crops. These chemical fertilizers and pesticides decreased soil fertility and Preparation of Vermicompost (VC): Cattle dung (CD) caused health problems to the consumers. Due to adverse was used as raw material to prepare vermicompost (VC). effects of chemical fertilizers, interest has been stimulated Beds of size 5 feet × 2 feet were prepared with the for the use of organic manures [1]. Porosity, drainage, help of bricks under a shed open from all sides in the water holding capacity and microbial activity are high in Botanical Garden of Guru Nanak Dev University for vermicompost .Vermicompost is produced by vermicomposting of CD. Earthworms (Eisenia foetida) biodegradation of organic material through interactions were added in each bed. Harvested VC was analyzed for between earthworms and micro-organisms. [2]. There is pH using a “Systronics-361” model pH meter, Total the presence of nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates Kjeldhal Nitrogen (TKN) by micro-kjeldhal method [6], and exchangeable calcium and soluble potassium in Total Available Phosphorous (TAP) by the method of vermicompost [3]. Vermicompost contains plant growth John [7]. Electric Conductivity (EC) of VC was recorded influencing materials produced by micro-organisms. [4, 5]. using an “ELICO180” model EC meter. Total Organic The main objectives of the present study were to access Carbon (TOC) content was determined by dry combustion the effects of the application of different ratios of method [8]. Total K and Total Na were measured flame vermicompost amended with soil on the growth, yield and photometrical using ’Systronics -178’’ model flame quality of tomato plants under field conditions. photometer. African J. of Basic & Appl. Sci., 2 (3-4): 117-123, 2010 118 Preparation of Soil and Vc Mixtures: Soil from the Stem diameter was recorded using vernier caliper. Plant Botanical Garden mixed with different concentrations of height was recorded using scale. Ripened tomatoes were VC was used in the experiment. Four treatments were regularly harvested. Tomatoes and plant biomass were prepared as follows: weighed using weighing balance. Soil (Control) VC15 (Soil + 15%VC) Chemical Analysis of Tomato Juice: For each treatment, VC30 ( Soil + 30% VC) juice was extracted using the electrical juicer (Sujata, VC45 (Soil + 45% VC) India) from 40 randomly selected tomatoes. It was mixed Germination: F hybrid tomato seeds of variety insoluble solids, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid 1 century-12 produced by Century Seeds Pvt. Ltd according to AOAC [9]. New Delhi were purchased from local market and were used in the experiment. Eight plastic trays of size 30cm x Statistical Analysis: The experimental data was expressed 23cm x 6cm were used to determine the germination percentage of tomato seeds in each of the four treatments. Hence, a total of 32 trays were used for all the four treatments. Each tray was filled with 3000cc of treatment mixture. A total of 25 tomato seeds with spacing of 3 cm were sown at a depth of 3cm in each tray. Hence, a total of 200 seeds were sown in 8 trays of each treatment. Germination percentage was determined in each of the four treatments after 20 days. Seedlings with intact structure were considered as normal, whereas defected seedlings without secondary roots were considered as abnormal seedlings. Only normal seedlings were used in calculating germination percentage as only they could give rise to complete plant. Growth and Yield Parameters: Nine randomly selected seedlings of each treatment were transplanted in pots of 22 cm diameter and 6 liter volumes containing the same soil and VC mixtures as in trays. Hence, 3 replicates of 3 pots each were taken for each treatment. Replicates were arranged randomly. Pots were watered regularly. Various growth and yield parameters like mean stem diameter, mean plant height, yield/plant, marketable yield/plant, mean leaf number, total plant biomass were recorded. thoroughly and analyzed for pH, total soluble solids, total as mean ± S.E.. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) was carried out using MS Excel to determine difference from control and between the treatments (p 0.05). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Chemical Analysis of VC: The pH of cattle dung vermicompost comes out to be 8.48. The pH of VC from different wastes have also been reported like sheep manure8.6 [10], sewage sludge-7.2 [11]. Vermicompost had a TKN Content of 11.5 g kg and 1 TOC of 232.15 g kg . While, TNa, TK and TAP were 1 found to be 22, 23.4 and 5.6 g kg ,respectively. Hence, 1 vermicmpost obtained was of good quality. Table 1: Various chemical parameters for VC. Parameters analyzed Vermicompost (Mean + S.E.) TKN (g kg-1) 11.5 ± 0.5 TAP (g kg-1) 5.6± 0.3 TK (g kg-1) 23.4 ± 1.0 TNa(g kg-1) 22 ± 0.2 EC (mS cm ) 4.0± 0.8 1 TOC(g kg-1) 232.2± 0.2 pH 8.5 ± 0.01 Table 2: Comparative germination percentage of vermicompost supplemented mixtures after 20 days Soil (control) VC15 (Soil+15% VC) VC30 (Soil+30% VC) VC45 (Soil+45% VC) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Trays Normal Abnormal Ungerminated Normal Abnormal Ungerminated Normal Abnormal Ungerminated Normal Abnormal Ungerminated 1. 20 2 3 23 2 0 16 1 8 16 1 8 2. 17 1 7 21 0 4 14 0 11 14 0 11 3. 19 1 5 21 0 4 14 0 11 13 0 12 4. 19 2 4 20 1 4 14 0 11 13 1 11 5. 17 3 5 23 0 2 18 1 6 11 0 14 6. 16 1 8 23 0 2 15 1 9 11 1 13 7. 16 1 8 20 1 4 15 1 9 12 0 13 8. 20 3 2 21 0 4 14 0 11 11 2 12 Total 144 14 42 172 4 24 120 4 76 101 5 94 %age 72 7 21 86 2 22 60 2 38 55.5 2.5 42 African J. of Basic & Appl. Sci., 2 (3-4): 117-123, 2010 119 Fig. 1: Comparison of mean stem diameter (cm) in different treatment mixtures Fig. 2: Comparison of plant height (cm) and leaf number in different treatment mixtures Fig. 3: Comparison of yield/plant (number) and marketable yield/plant (number) in different treatment mixtures African J. of Basic & Appl. Sci., 2 (3-4): 117-123, 2010 120 Fig. 4: Comparison of yield/plant (kg) and marketable yield/plant (kg) in different treatment mixtures Fig. 5: Comparison of total plant biomass (g) in different treatment mixtures Fig. 6: Comparison of pH of tomato juice in different treatment mixtures African J. of Basic & Appl. Sci., 2 (3-4): 117-123, 2010 121 Fig. 7: Comparison of mean soluble solids (%) and mean insoluble solids (%) of tomato juice in different treatment mixtures Fig. 8: Comparison of titrable acidity (mg citric acid/100g) of tomato juice in different treatment mixtures Fig. 9: Comparison of ascorbic acid (mg/kg) of tomato juice in different treatment mixtures African J. of Basic & Appl. Sci., 2 (3-4): 117-123, 2010 122Germination: It was observed that germination vermicompost in soil has always been associated withpercentage in terms of normal seedlings was maximum increasing germination, percentage and yield of(86%) in treatment VC15 (soil+15% VC). There was a vegetables even at low substitution rates andgradual decrease in germination percentage in treatments independent of nutrient supply in various experimentsVC30 (soil + 30% VC) and treatment VC45 (soil + 45% [16].VC). Treatments VC30 and VC45 showed germination%ge of 60 and 55%, respectively, which were lower Quality Parameters: Mean soluble solids (%) in all thethan germination percentage in soil (control) even, three treatments (5.48, 5.89 and 5.93) showed a significantwhere it was observed to be 72%. Gradual decrease in increase as compared with control (4.57). Similarly, meangermination indices in treatments VC30 and VC45 can insoluble solids of all the three treatments (3.98, 4.44 andbe attributed to presence of nitrogen in excess. 4.16) were observed to be significantly higher than controlExcessive nitrogen leads to inhibition of germination. On (3.29). Wright and Harris [17] reported that increased Nincreasing concentrations of vermicompost, germination and K fertilization increased solid content of tomatoes.of radish decreased [12].Flavour of tomatoes is associated with high soluble Growth and Yield Parameters: Mean plant height (cm) inTitrable acidity (mg citric acid/100g) in treatmentstreatments VC15, VC30 and VC45 were found to be 63cm, VC15, VC30 and VC45 came out to be 0.0061, 0.0063 and63.4cm and 63.5, m respectively, which were significantly 0.0059 which were lower than control (0.0069). A highergreater than mean plant height of 38cm reported in soil content of ascorbic acid (mg kg ) was recorded in three(control). Similarly, mean stem diameter was also observed treatments (131,141,145) and this increase was significantto be significantly higher in three treatments (0.89, 0.88 as compared with control (115).This may be attributed toand 0.88cm) than control (0.47cm). A significant increase increased TAP and TK contents in treatments VC15, VC30in mean stem diameter and mean plant height of tomato and VC45. K and P nutrition has a positive effect on fruitplant was observed by the addition of different sugar and acid content [18]. Davies and Winsor [19]concentrations of sheep manure vermicompost in soil found a positive logarithmic correlation between the K[10].Vermicompost has high microbial activity due to level in the soil and the acid content of the fruit. Highpresence of fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes [4]. Microsugar and high acid contents generally have a favorableorganisms like bacteria, fungi, yeast, actinomycetes and effect on taste. The pH in control (3.9) and in treatmentsalgae can produce plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as VC15, VC30 and VC45 (3.8, 3.7 and 3.8) were almost same.auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene and abcisic acid From the above discussion, it is clear that vermicompost[13].Vermicompost affected positively the growth of in small proportion can effectively enhance germination,Beginias and Coleus [4].growth, yield and quality of tomatoes by improvingA significant increase was observed in mean number various physical, chemical and biological properties of theof leaves in three treatments (105,111,104) as compared to soil.control (59). It was observed that number of fruits/plantin three treatments (10.9, 15.0 and 15.6) was also increasedREFERENCESsignificantly than those in control (5.9). Total yield/plant(kg) of tomatoes in soil came out to be 0.36kg, while it 1. Follet, R., R. Donahue and L. Murphy, 1981. Soil andcame out to be 0.61, 0.79 and 0.85 in treatments VC15,Soil Amendments. 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