Effect of Vermicompost Application on Mineral Nutrient Composition of Grains of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.)

Gulen Ozyazici,Nizamettin Turan

doi:10.3390/su13116004

Abstract

Poor soil organic content is a major cause of declining crop productivity in developing countries. Less precipitation and high temperatures oxidize organic matter in the soils of semi-arid regions. Such a deficiency in the organic matter of the soils decreases the bioavailability of many nutrients. Organic amendments like vermicompost (VM) have the potential to overcome this problem, while decreasing the dependency on inorganic fertilizers. Thus, the aim of our study was to explore the best application rate of VM for the improvement of nutrient contents in buckwheat. We used two buckwheat cultivars i.e., Aktaş and Güneş were sown under variable rates of soil-applied VM (0, 0.75, 1.50, 2.25 and 3.00 t ha−1) in semi-arid highland conditions. The results demonstrated that the nutritional quality parameters were improved when VM was applied at the rate of 2.25 t ha−1. In addition, VM at 2.25 t ha−1 resulted in an improvement of the N and P contents of the grains. The P contents in the grains of the Güneş variety was higher (0.26%) than the Aktaş variety (0.24%). A significant improvement in Fe (%), Cu (%), Zn (%) and Mn contents (%) in the grains of buckwheat validated the efficacious functioning of 2.25 t ha−1 of VM. The Zn content of the grains was higher in the Güneş variety (34.06%) than the Aktaş variety (31.96%). However, no significant change in K, Ca and Mg was noted at any level of VM in both Aktaş and Güneş. It is concluded that a 2.25 t ha−1 VM application in the buckwheat crop under zero conventional fertilizer was the best level to boost the nutritional quality of the grains.

Highlights

The varying levels of soil applied VM had a significant effect on the nutritional quality parameters of buckwheat cultivars under semi-arid conditions
Unal et al [38] reported that buckwheat grains contained 14% protein indicating 2.2% of N (6.25 conversion ratio will transform average 14% protein ratio approximately to 14/6.25 = 2.2% N content), which was much higher than our results
The study findings were partially in line with the postulated hypothesis as buckwheat cultivars remained at par in nutritional quality while varying doses of vermicompost boosted the nutritional value of the grains

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Buckwheat (BW; Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a grain crop that has recently attained much attention for human consumption, especially in gluten-sensitive and hypertensive people [1]. Fagopyrum is a genus containing 15 species, most of which are indigenous to temperate Eastern Asia and common BW is the most important species in this genus [2]. BW is an alternative crop belonging to the eudicot family Polygonaceae [3]

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Conclusion