THE INFLUENCE OF VERMICOMPOST ON GROWTH, YIELDS, AND DISEASE OCCURANCES OF CUCUMBER PLANT (Cucumis sativus L.) IN THE GREENHOUSE CONDITION

Abstract

Vermicompost is an organic residual derived from the bio-oxidative process of wastes by the action of earthworms. Vermicompost has been known as a good material to boost soil nutrients, improve soil structure, promote plant growth, and suppress plant diseases. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of vermicompost on the productivity of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), improvement of soil fertility, and enhancement of soil microbial population. The experiment was laid out in the Complete Randomized Design with 5 treatments including soil control (T1), soil with chemical fertilizer application (T2), and soil mixed with 10%, 20%, and 30% of vermicompost (T3, T4, and T5). Plant growth, yield, disease incidence, soil chemical analysis, and bacterial population were measured. The results revealed that the application of vermicompost had a significant effect on promoting plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, fruit characteristics, fruit yields, and suppressing leaf spot disease incidence (p≤0.05). From the chemical analysis, soil mixed with vermicompost improved in pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total potassium, and available potassium. In addition, soil’s total phosphorus was increased after planting in the vermicompost treatment. Analysis of the bacterial population demonstrated that vermicompost significantly increased the population of bacteria in the soil (p≤0.05). Based on the results, the application of 30% vermicompost showed the best positive effect on improving soil fertility together with promoting cucumber growth and yield in poor soil planting conditions. Therefore, the application of vermicompost can be a vital choice in cucumber production for sustainable agriculture as well as improvements in the food products in the world.

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