Evaluation Effect of Different Level of Vermicompost and Manure on Physiological Parameters of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

BACKGROUND: Vermicompost has many characteristics such as high porosity, ventilation and proper drainage, high moisture absorption and maintenance power, high uptake level for water and food stuffs, and its use in sustainable agriculture is very useful to improve soil porosity and thus more availability of nutrient elements required by plants. Manure plays an important role in improving physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. OBJECTIVES: The current study was conducted to assessment effect of different level of vermicompost and several amount of cow manure on growth indices of Cowpea. METHODS: This research was carried out via factorial experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications along 2015 year. Place of research was located in Ahvaz city at longitude 48°40'E and latitude 31°20'N in Khuzestan province (Southwest of Iran). The first factor included three level of Vermicompost (V1: nonuse of vermicompost or Control, V2: 2 t.ha-1, V3: 4 t.ha-1) and second factor consisted of cow manure (M1: nonuse of cow manure or Control, M2: 10 t.ha-1, M3: 15 t.ha-1). RESULT: Result of analysis of variance revealed effect of vermicompost and cow manure on all studied growth parameters (instead total dry weight) was not significant. Compare different level of vermicompost indicated that maximum leaf area index (LAI), total dry weight (TDM), crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) was noted for 4 t.ha-1 and minimum of that belonged to control treatment. Compare different level of cow manure showed the maximum total dry weight belonged to LAI, TDW, CGR and NAR for 15 t.ha-1 and minimum of that was for control treatment. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of current research, treatments of 4 t.ha-1 of vermicompost mixed with 15 t.ha-1 of animal manure had the highest amount of physiological indicators and can recommended for studied area.