The influence of vermicompost on the growth and productivity of cymbidiums

Authors

1 Dept. of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, P.O.Box 41635-1314, Rasht, Iran.

2 Dept. of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, P.O.Box 41635-1314, Rasht, Iran * Corresponding author’s E-mail: shafyii@guilan.ac.ir

Abstract

The effects of cattle manure vermicompost on the growth and productivity of cymbidium (Cymbidium sp.) plants were evaluated under shade conditions. Cymbidium was grown in a container medium including 50% pumice, 30% charcoal, 10% vermiculite and 10% peat moss, which was basic plant growth medium substituted with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% (by volume) vermicompost. The control consisted of container medium alone without vermicompost. Plants were supplied regularly with a complete mineral nutrient solution. The greatest vegetative growth resulted from substitution of container medium with 30% and 40% vermicompost, and the lowest growth was in the potting mixtures containing 0% vermicompost. Most flower buds and inflorescences occurred in the potting mixture containing 30% and 40% vermicompost, and the greatest length of inflorescences was observed in 30% vermicompost. Cymbidium grown in a container medium substituted with 30% and 40% had the most and greatest number of flowers. Some of the cymbidium growth and productivity enhancement, resulting from substitution of container medium with vermicompost, may be explained by nutritional factors; however, other factors, such as plant- growth-regulators and humates, might have also been involved since all plants were supplied regularly with all required nutrients.
 
REFERENCES
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Singh, R., Sharma, R.R., Kumar, S., Gupta, R.K. and Patil, R.T. (2008) Vermicompost substitution influences growth, physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Biores. Tech. 99, 8507-8511.
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Keywords


Arancon, N.Q., Edwards, C.A., Babenko, A., Cannon, J., Galvis, P. and Metzger, J.D. (2008) Influences of vermicom-posts, produced by earthworms and microorganisms from cattle manure, food waste and paper waste, on the germination, growth and flowering of petunias in the greenhouse. Appl. Soil Eco.39, 91-99.
 
Atiyeh, R.M., Edwards, C.A., Subler, S. and Metzger, J.D. (2001) Pig manure vermicompost as a component of a horticultural bedding plant medium: effects on physicochemical properties and plant growth. Biores. Tech.78, 11-20.
 
Atiyeh, R.M., Arancon, N.Q., Edwards, C.A. and Metzger, J.D. (2002) The influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and producti-vity of marigolds. Biores. Tech.81, 103-108.
 
Bachman, G.R. and Metzger, J.D. (2008) Growth of bedding plants in commercial potting substrate amended with vermicompost. Biores. Tech.99, 3155-3161.
 
Gajalakshmi, S. and Abbasi, S.A. (2002) Effect of the application of water hyacinth compost/vermicompost on the growth and flowering of Crossandra undulaefolia, and on several vegetables. Biores. Tech.85, 197-199.
 
Gutie ́rrez-Miceli, F.A., Moguel-Zamudio, B., Abud-Archila, M., Gutie ́rrez-Oliva, V.F. and Dendooven, L. (2008) Sheep manure vermicompost supplemented with a native diazotrophic bacteria and mycorrhizas for maize cultivation. Biores. Tech.99, 7020-7026.
 
Nikbakht, A., Kafi, M., Babalar, M., Xia, Y.P., Luo, A. and Etemadi, N. (2008) Effect of humic acid on plant growth, nutrition uptake and postharvest life of Gerbera. J. of Plant Nutr.31, 2155-2167.
 
Paradelo, R., Moldes, A.B. and Barral, M.T. (2008) Properties of slate mining wastes incubated with grape marc compost under laboratory conditions. Waste Manag. 1-6.
 
Singh, R., Sharma, R.R., Kumar, S., Gupta, R.K. and Patil, R.T. (2008) Vermicompost substitution influences growth, physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Biores. Tech. 99, 8507-8511.
 
Smith, C.J., Bond, W.J. and Wang, W. (1999) Waste- free: vermicompost to improve agricultural soils. CSIRO Land and Water, ACT 2601, Australia. pp. 1-21.
Vetal, A.A., Dutt, M. and Sonwane, P.C. (2003) Relative performance of Lilium (Lilium speciosum) in various substrates under polyhouse conditions. Crop Res.25(1), 78-82.