Effect of vermicompost produced from municipal solid waste on growth and yield of isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum)

Abstract

Vermicompost has been identified as an alternative to fertilizer to increase soil fertility and crop production in agriculture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of municipal solid waste vermicompost (MSV) as organic fertilization on the growth characteristics, phenological stages, and yield of isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) under field condition. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with four different amounts of MSV; 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1 (on the dry weight basis) that were applied with four replications. The experiment was conducted in 2009 at the Zabol University research farm in Zabol, south Iran. Application of MSV had no significant impact on phenological cycles of both crops. Crop development was completed in 117 to 124 days equivalent to 1878 to 1927 degree-days in the isabgol and 111 to 113 days equivalent to 1192 to 1224 degree-days in cumin. Results indicated that applications of MSV significantly increased growth and yield of both crops only at the 10 t ha-1 rate. At rates higher than 10 t ha-1, yield rate decreased significantly. These stimulations were attributed to the presence of high levels of essential nutrients as N, P, and organic matter in MSV. These results suggested that MSV, in amounts of about 10 t ha-1, could be utilized efficiently as an important source of nutrients, and did not have any significant harmful effect on crop productivity. In contrast, the nutrients proved beneficial to soil fertility and isabgol and cumin productivity. Key words: Vermicompost, Isabgol, cumin, medicinal plant.