Utilization of Agricultural Waste Compost as an Alternative Potting Media Component with Coir Dust for Leafy Vegetable Ipomoea Acquatica

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the potential utilization of an alternative potting media developed from agricultural waste compost in combination with coir dust on the growth and development of leafy vegetable Ipomoea aquatica (L). Agricultural waste compost was prepared from poultry litter, sawdust, rice straw, gliricidia, and cow dung. Seven different potting media were prepared by mixing compost at the rates of 0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% with coir dust at the rate of 100%, 90%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0%, respectively. Developed potting media showed adequate physical and chemical properties for Ipomea aquatica cultivation. Crop yield showed significant differences among all treatments and treatment with 100% compost gave the best growth and yield parameters. The highest plant height, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight obtained from the 100% compost were increased by 2.70, 18.07, and 18.02 times in comparison to the 100% coir with chemical fertilizer control.

Keywords:

• compost
• leafy vegetable
• waste
• potting media