EFFECT OF THREE TYPES OF GROWING MEDIA AND VERMICOMPOST TEA ON THE GROWTH AND INDIVIDUAL WEIGHT OF CHINESE KALE (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey)

Abstract

The intensive use of inorganic fertilizers is an effective means to promote crop productivity. However, continuous and improper use of inorganic fertilizers alone can lead to soil degradation, resulting in lower yield, environmental pollution, and human health. Organic fertilizers maintain soil quality, increase soil organic matter, and improve soil properties, consequently enhancing crop yield. This present study aimed to investigate the effects of growing media and vermicompost tea on the growth and yield of Chinese kale plants under pot conditions. Consequently, the experiment of the present study included six treatments, including control. The results showed that mixing cow manure and vermicompost with growing media and VT application significantly positively affected plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and individual weight of Chinese kale plants. Particularly, the highest plant height, the number of leaves, and individual weight were seen in the T6 treatment [GM3 (the mixture of 50% soil, 20% cocopeat, and 30% vermicompost) + VT application], but T2 treatment [GM2 (the mixture of 50% soil, 20% cocopeat, and 30% cow manure) + no VT application] had the highest stem diameter. Noticeably, VT application increased the individual weight of the plants in the T4 treatment (GM of 100% soil + VT application) by 119.9%, as compared to the control (GM of 100% soil + no VT application). Consequently, the findings of this present study demonstrated that vermicompost tea may have great potential for use as a foliar fertilizer for leaf vegetables to promote growth in plant height and weight.