Combined Effect of Biocompost and Biostimulant on Root Characteristics of Cannabis sativa L.

Abstract

The use of earthworms in bio-composting (vermicomposting) is gaining popularity as a bio-waste management approach for producing nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. Furthermore, the use of seaweed extracts as biostimulants changes the physical, biochemical, and biological aspects of the soil, as well as the architecture of plant roots, allowing for more effective nutrient uptake and increasing plant development and yields. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of biocompost and biostimulant on the development of the root system of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plant. An outdoor pot experiment was set up a completely randomized design, with four treatments including vermicompost, vermicompost amended with seaweed-based biostimulant, vermicompost mixed with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and cattle manure (CM) compost, and vermicompost mixed with SMS+CM compost and amended with seaweed-based biostimulant. The results revealed that the highest values of root length density, root diameter, and nitrogen content in roots (1.36 cm cm-3, 1.29 mm, and 1.23%, respectively) were found in plants grown in the substrate of vermicompost mixed with SMS+CM compost and amended with seaweed-based biostimulant, pointed this out as a recommended treatment for increased biomass production, which is important in the processing of cannabis for medicinal purposes.