Can Vermicompost be used as medium amendment for Swiss chard seedling production (original) (raw)

A study aimed at introducing vermicompost to farmers and exploring the possibility of its use as an amendment to a commercial growing medium for vegetable seedling production was conducted at Izele Village in Stutterheim. Swiss chard (Beta Vulgaris L.) seedlings cv Star 3301 were sown on a commercial growing medium amended with differing quantities of vermicompost ranging from 20%, 40%, 60% to 80% vermicompost. A treatment with a commercial growing medium (Hygromix) only was included and regarded as a control. Parameters measured were seedling emergence, which encompassed the final emergence percentage, mean emergence time and seedling vigour index. Plant growth, which entailed shoot height, dry shoot and root mass and shoot: root ratio was also measured. Significant differences were measured at p<0.05. Overall, the proportions of vermicompost in the mixtures had a significant effect on both seedling emergence and plant growth. Seedlings grown on 60% and 80% Vermicompost treatments performed better or similar to the commercial medium depending on the parameter measured. Only in dry root mass where the commercial medium was found to perform better than these treatments. In general, vermicompost showed a potential as a medium amendment for Swiss chard seedling production.

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