The effects of increasing amounts of vermicompost and a fixed amount of Rhodobacter capsulatus applications on macro and micro elements of plant and soil samples

Abstract

Soil pollution increases day by day due to excessive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides which can disturb natural environment of the soil when applied consistently. Sustainable and healthy agricultural in long term, however, can be obtained by the utilization of organic fertilizers and bacterial fertilizers. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bacteria and vermicompost applications on soil fertility and some nutrient elements of exotic plant Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.). Standard variety green Malabar spinach was used as plant material and Rhodobacter capsulatus and solid vermicompost were used as fertilizers in this study. The experiment was conducted according to the randomized block design in triplicates. The trials in the study were as follows: control, only bacteria (B) (10 mL/pot), only solid vermicompost (8%), and three different vermicompost concentrations (V₁: 4%. V₂: 8%. V₃: 12%) with fixed amount of bacteria (10 mL/pot). The bacteria and vermicompost were mixed with soil during planting. The results showed that the bacteria + vermicompost applications increased the N, P, K, Cu, Zn and Mn decreased Ca and had no significant effect on Mg and Fe contents of the plants. This application had the same effect on the experimental soil in terms of the mentioned elements. The effects of only bacteria and only vermicompost applications on some micro and macro nutrient elements of the plant and soil varied. The results suggested that the use of organic fertilizer and bacterial fertilizers on soils that are mostly poor in terms of organics is important and should be extended.

Keywords:

• Basella alba L
• macro-micro elements
• Rhodobacter capsulatus
• vermicompost

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Tekirdag Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Unit for its financial support to the project numbered with NKUBAP.03.GA.18.166.