Utilization of Vermicompost in Soil Improvement for Brassica alboglabra Bailey Planting

บทคัดย่อ

The effects of earthworm-processed cow-manure (vermicompost) on the physical and chemical soil characteristics, including the growth of Brassica alboglabra, were investigated in the batch experiment. Six treatments were applied combining vermicompost and soil in proportions of 0:10 (control), 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6 and 5:5 (v/v). The results presented that the addition of cow-manure vermicompost increased infiltration rate, porosity, moisture, cation exchange capacity (CEC), nutrient (N, P and K), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and organic matter of soils (OM), but decreased bulk density of soils. Moreover, the growth parameters presented that the addition of vermicompost increased heights, width and length of leaves, diameters and weight, but had no significant effect on the numbers of leaves at 44 days after transplanting. The optimal proportion for soil improvment in B. alboglabra growing was 3:7. From the results it could be concluded that vermicompost was effective in improving the soil properties for B. alboglabra growing. Finally, the utilization of vermicompost is an eco-friendly approach for reducing amounts of chemical application and wastes affecting environmental integrity.