Effects of Vermicompost on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa Var. Crispa) Yield in Greenhouse under Different Soil Water Regimes

ABSTRACT

This study mainly focused on the impacts of vermicompost (VC) treatments on physicochemical characteristics of sandy-clay-loam soil and lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) yield in a greenhouse under different soil moisture regimes. Pot experiments were conducted with different VC treatment doses (0%, 2.5%, and 5% w/w) and three soil water regimes (100%, 50%, and 25%Ɵ_f, Ɵ_f is field capacity). Following the harvest, soil samples were taken and analyzed for physicochemical properties. The highest organic matter content (2.19%) was observed in 5% VC treatment of the full irrigation level (100%Ɵ_f) irrigation treatment and the lowest organic matter content (0.19%) was obtained from the control treatment of the lowest irrigation level (25%Ɵ_f). Soil physical properties were positively influenced by VC treatments under different irrigation regimes. The highest lettuce yield (178.7 g plant⁻¹) was observed in 5% VC treatment of the full irrigation level (100%Ɵ_f) irrigation treatment and the lowest lettuce yield (94.0 g plant⁻¹) was obtained from the control treatment of the lowest irrigation level (25%Ɵ_f). Present findings revealed that vermicompost treatments under different irrigation regimes could reliably be used to enhance soil physicochemical properties and lettuce yield.

KEYWORDS:

• Vermicompost
• irrigation level
• soil fertility
• available water capacity
• lettuce

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the Center for Research on Soil Fertilizers and Water Resources for providing the working environment and facilities for this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Soil, Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute;