The Effect of Vermicompost Enriched with Ulva Lactuca on Germination of Cucumber Seeds

Abstract

Vermicompost was obtained from farmyard manure compost enriched with sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca), which grows naturally on the Ordu coast, and its effects on the germination of cucumber seeds were investigated. The seaweeds collected from the sea and dried and composted in the natural environment together in 5 different groups with cattle manure after grinding. Eisenia fetida, known as Red California Worm, was used as worm species.The composts obtained were fed to earthworms according to different dose ratios. These dose ratios were determined as G1 group 9000 gr 100 % Ç.G (farm manure), G2 group 8100 gr Ç.G + 900 gr U.L (Ulva lactuca), G3 group 7200 gr Ç.G + 1800 gr U.L, G4 group 6300 gr Ç.G + 2700 gr U.L. and G5 group 5400 gr Ç.G + 3600 gr. U.L. The vermicompost was applied directly to the soil. The experiment was designed according to the randomised plots experimental design with one control and three replicates. The experiment was carried out with local Cucumis sativus (cucumber) seeds in plastic containers in open field. Including the control group, 15 saddles were used. Sowing was done by hand at a depth of 5-6 cm with 7 seeds/saddle. The 6-day development process of the seeds was observed and germination rates were analysed. At the end of the study, significant differences were found between the groups.