Optimization of Vermicompost and Worm-Bed Leachate for the Organic Cultivation of Radish

Vermicompost and worm-bed leachate (WBL) are two products obtained from vermicomposting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different combinations of vermicompost and WBL on cultivating radish (Raphanus sativus L.). A multilevel factorial design with 25 treatments was used to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of plant nutrition 2011-08, Vol.34 (11), p.1642-1653
Main Authors: Gutierrez-Miceli, Federico Antonio, Oliva Llaven, Maria Angela, Mendoza Nazar, Paula, Ruiz Sesma, Benigno, Alvarez-Solis, Jose David, Dendooven, Luc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties
Economic plant physiology
Flowers & plants
fulvic acid
fulvic acids
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agronomy. Plant production
germination
humic acid
leaves
Metabolism
Metabolism. Physicochemical requirements
Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism
Optimization
Organic matter
organic production
Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils
phytotoxicity
Plant growth
plant nutrition
Plant physiology and development
radishes
Raphanus sativus
seed germination
shoots
Soil science
Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments
Soils
vermicomposting
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Summary:Vermicompost and worm-bed leachate (WBL) are two products obtained from vermicomposting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different combinations of vermicompost and WBL on cultivating radish (Raphanus sativus L.). A multilevel factorial design with 25 treatments was used to investigate the effect of vermicompost at 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% and WBL at 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% on germination and growth parameters. A maximum seed germination of 54%, number of leaves (2.8), and plant height (8.6 cm) were obtained with 10% vermicompost and 10% WBL. A maximum shoot (7.0 g) and root (7.3 g) dry weight was obtained with 10% vermicompost and 15% WBL. Vermicompost and worm-bed leachate have an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations on seed germination and plant growth. These inhibitory effects might be due to increased salt concentrations, pH or auxin-like effects of humic and fulvic acids.
ISSN:0190-4167
1532-4087
1532-4087
DOI:10.1080/01904167.2011.592561