Effect of biofoliar fertilizers extracted from aquatic weeds on Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea) a green vegetable in Central Vietnam

Abstract

Chinese mustard green is known as a vegetable among consumers and has high economic value in Central Vietnam. To increase the growth, production and quality of Chinese mustard green plant, it is necessary to apply biofoliar fertilizers that are sourced from organic materials, two of which are seaweed and water hyacinth. This study was conducted during 2020 at Thua Thien Hue province, Central Vietnam with an aim to determine the best rate and type of biofoliar fertilizer o growth, yield and quality of Chinese mustard green. The pot experiment consisted of 2 factors with 2 types of biofoliar fertilizer extracted from seaweed and water hyacinth at 4 spraying rates (0, 10, 5 and 3%) arranged under factorial design with 3 replicates. The results showed that the growth, yield and quality were best at 10% spraying rate in both biofoliar fertilizers extracted from seaweed and water hyacinth, especially in the type of biofoliar fertilizer extracted from seaweed (yield increasing 37 - 43%, brix value of 1.9 to 2.2% and nitrate content in leaf within the permissible standard < 1000 mg/kg). Therefore, it is proposed to use biofoliar fertilizer extracted from seaweed at the spraying rate of 10% based on 500 kg of lime/ha and 15 tons of cattle manure/ha to achieve higher yield and quality of Chinese mustard green.