BIBLIOGRAPHY ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013....
BIBLIOGRAPHY

ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013. Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield
Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical
Properties. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.


Adviser: Jose G. Balaoing, Ph. D

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted at the Organic Demo Farm, Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet from April 2012 to March 2013. The study aimed to determine; 1)
the effect of vermicompost application on the yield performance of Pak Choi (Brassica
rapa chinensis); and 2) the effect of vermicompost on some physico-chemical properties
of the soil under controlled environment.
Application of the different rates of vermicompost significantly affected the yield
of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa chinensis). As the rates of vermicompost was increased from
5 to 20 tons/ha, the yield was also increased.

Application of vermicompost lowered the bulk density of the soil. On the other
hand, the pH, organic matter, and nitrogen of the soil were increased as the application of
vermicomposts was increased from 5 to 20 tons per hectare.

Vermicompost applications lower the incidence insect pest and pathogens on Pak
Choi (Brassica rapa chinensis).

Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Yield as Influenced by the Application
Rates of Vermicompost

Yield per plot. Table 1 shows the yield per plot of Pak Choi (var. Green Shingkang)
as affected by the different rates of vermicomposts. It was observed that plants applied with
20 tons/ha of vermicomposts registered the highest yield which significantly differed from
those applied with 5 tons/ha vermicomposts but not with those plants applied with 15
tons/ha. The results indicate that application of 5-20 tons/ha vermicomposts enhanced the
yield of Pak Choi. This observation can be attributed to the application of vermicomposts
in the soil that improves the properties of soil influencing the growth of Pak Choi, thus
increasing the yield (Figs.2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) The result confirmed the findings of Nencarrow
(1998) that replacing plant compost with vermicomposts after one year resulted in an
increased crop yield.
Table 1. Total yield as influenced by the different rates of vermicompost

TREATMENT




YIELD






kg/5.95 m2

tons/ha
T1= control




4.8c 8067.2





T2= 5 tons/ha



12.0bc 20168.0





T3= 10 tons/ha



12.0bc 20168.0





T4= 15 tons/ha



24.0ab 40336.1


T5= 20 tons/ha



32.0a 53781.5





Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT
Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013



Fig.2.Average yield of Pak Choi

Fig.3.Average yield of Pak Choi
(4.8 kg/5.95 m2) in control plots
(12.0 kg/ 5.95 m2) in plots applied







5 tons per hectare vermicomposts




Fig.4. Average yield of Pak Choi (12.0 kg/5.95 m2) in plots
applied with 10 tons per hectare vermicomposts







Fig.5.Average yield of Pak Choi
Fig.6.Average yield of Pak Choi
(24.0 kg/5.95 m2) in plots applied

(32.0 kg/5.95 m2) in plots applied
15 tons per hectare vermicomposts

20 tons per hectare

Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

Pest and Disease Incidence as Influenced by the
Different Rates of Vermicompost

Insect pest incidence. As presented in Table 2, the common pests attacking Pak
Choi like cabbage worm, flea beetles, snails and slugs on Pak Choi are shown in Figs.7, 8,
9, and 10. Lower degree of infestation is shown in Table 2 where Pak Choi is shown. This
confirms the report of Arancon, et al. (2005) that the application of vermicompost in the
field enhances the quality of soils by increasing microbial activity and microbial biomass
which are key components in nutrient cycling, production of plant regulators and protecting
crops from soil-borne diseases and arthropod pest attacks.
Table 2. Insect pest incidence as influenced by the different rates of vermicompost

TREATMENT





INSECT PEST INCIDENCE
T1= control







2.7a
T2=5 tons/ha






2.5b
T3=10 tons/ha






2.5b
T4= 15 tons/ha






2.4b
T5= 20 tons/ha






2.3c
Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT


Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013



Fig.7.Cabbage-worm commonly attacking Fig.8.Flea beetles commonly attacking
Pak Choi at early stage of growth

Pak Choi at 25 DAP

(10 DAE)













Fig.9.Snails attacking Pak Choi

Fig.10. Slugs attacking Pak Choi at
at early stage of growth


early stage of growth
(10 DAE)




(10 DAE)








Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

Disease incidence. Table 4 shows the infestation of disease attacking Pak Choi as
affected by the different rates of vermicomposts. It was observed that application of 20
tons/ha of vermicomposts had the lowest disease infestations on Pak Choi with a mean of
2.3. This was followed by those applied with 5, 10, and 15 tons/ha with a disease rating of
2.5, 2.4, and 2.4, respectively. The untreated plants gave the highest disease rating of 2.6.
The result implies that the incidence on disease was lowered by vermicomposts application
which confirmed the findings of Nakamura (1996) that incidence on Plasmodiora
brassicae, Phytopthora nicotianae (tomato late blight) and Fusarium lycopersici (tomato
fusarium wilt) had been suppressed by vermicompost application.
Table 3. Disease incidence as influenced by the different rates of vermicompost

TREATMENT





DISEASE INCIDENCE
T1=control







2.6a
T2= 5 tons/ha






2.5ab
T3=10 tons/ha






2.4bc
T4= 15 tons/ha






2.4bc
T5=20 tons/ha






2.3c
Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT















Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

Some Physical and Chemical Properties
Of the Soil as Influenced by the
Application Rates of Vermicompost

Bulk density of the soil. Table 4 presents the bulk density of the soil as affected by
the different rates of vermicompost application. Application of vermicomposts did not
influence the bulk density of the soil. However, application of 20 tons/ha vermicomposts
registered the lowest bulk density of the soil while the untreated plots registered the highest
bulk density value of 1.10 g/cm3. These values are still within the ideal value of a desirable
soil physical properties. The result simply that vermicomposts application can decrease the
bulk density of the soil. The result confirmed the findings conducted by Azarmi and
Taleshmikail (2008) that addition of 5, 10, 15, and 20 tons/ha vermicompost lowered the
bulk density of the soil.
Table 5. Bulk density of the soil as influenced by the different rates of vermicompost

TREATMENT






BULK DENSITY










(g/cm3)
T1=control








1.10a
T2= 5 tons/ha







1.08a
T3=10 tons/ha







1.08a
T4=15 tons/ha







1.07a
T5= 20tons/ha







1.04a
Initial








1.34
Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT





Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

Soil pH. Table 5 shows the soil pH of the soil as influenced by the different rates
of vermicomposts. Result shows that application of vermicomposts significantly increased
the pH of the soil. Soils applied with 20 tons/ha vermicomposts registered the highest
increased from an initial value of 6.30 to 6.57. Application of 5 tons/ha vermicomposts
affected the lowest increased on the soil pH. The increased on soil pH can be attributed to
the calcium-magnesium content of vermicomposts which ranged from 3-5 % (Singh,
2001). Calcium replaces the H+ and Al+ ions of the soil which increases the soil pH (Brady
and Weil, 2002).
Table 6. Soil pH as influenced by the different rates of vermicompost


TREATMENT







SOIL pH
T1=control








6.26d
T2= 5 tons/ha







6.38c
T3=10 tons/ha







6.50b
T4=15 tons/ha







6.48b
T5= 20 tons/ha







6.57a
Initial








6.30
Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT
Organic matter content of the soil. The organic matter content of the soils applied
were significantly increased from the initial value of 1.94 % to 2.35 % to 2.49 % when 5,
10, 15, and 20 tons/ha vermicomposts were applied respectively (Table 6). Soils applied
with vermicomposts at a rate of 20 tons/ha registered the highest organic matter content
Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

while the lowest was registered from those applied with 10 tons/ha. The result shows that
application of vermicomposts increased the organic matter content of the soil.

Table 6. Organic matter of the soil as influenced by the different rates of vermicomposts

TREATMENT






ORGANIC MATTER










(%)
T1= control








2.31b
T2= 5 tons/ha







2.35b
T3= 10 tons/ha







2.31b
T4= 15 tons/ha







2.34b
T5= 20 tons/ha







2.49a
Initial








1.94
Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT

Nitrogen content of the soil. Table 7 shows the nitrogen content of the soils applied
with vermicomposts that had significantly increased from an initial value of 0.05 % to
0.11%. Results showed no significant differences among the treatments. However,
application of 20 tons/ha vermicomposts affected the highest nitrogen content of the soil.
The result implies that increased organic matter content can increased the nitrogen content
of the soil. The result confirmed the findings of Nencarrow, (1998) that worm composts
contain seven times the available nitrogen and potash find in topsoil.


Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

Table 7. Nitrogen content of the soil as influenced by the different rates of vermicompost

TREATMENT





NITROGEN CONTENT









(%)
T1=control







0.11a
T2= 5 tons/ha






0.11a
T3=10 tons/ha






0.11a
T4=15 tons/ha






0.11a
T5 = 20 tons/ha






0.12a
Initial







0.05
Means with common letter/s are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT














Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


Summary
The study was conducted to: 1) determine the effect of vermicompost on the yield
performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa chinensis); and 2) determine the effect of
vermicompost application on some physico-properties of the soil. The yield of Pak Choi
was improved by the application of vermicomposts applied at different rates. Application
of vermicompost lowered the bulk density of the soil. As the rates of vermicompost
application increases, soil pH, organic matter, and nitrogen content of the soil also
increases.
On the other hand, vermicomposts application lowers the incidence of insect pests
and disease on Pak Choi.

Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following were concluded:
1.Vermicomposts application at a rate of 10- 20 tons per hectare increased the yield
of Pak Choi;
2. Application of vermicomposts lowered the bulk density of the soil but increases
the pH, organic matter and nitrogen content of the soil; and
3.Vermicomposts application can lower insect pest and pathogens incidence on Pak
Choi plant.



Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions, application of vermicompost at a rate of 15-
20 tons/ha could be used on Pak Choi production. However, the study is recommended for
validation of the findings.













Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013

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Effect of Vermicompost Application on Yield Performance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa
chinensis) and on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties |
ESLAO, MAILA S. MARCH 2013