This article was downloaded by: [J. A. Olfati] On: 20 December 2013, At: 21:02 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

International Journal of Vegetable Science Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wijv20

Vermicompost Leachate and Vermiwash Enhance French Dwarf Bean Yield a

a

a

a

H. Ayyobi , E. Hassanpour , S. Alaqemand , S. Fathi , J. A. a

Olfati & Gh. Peyvast

a

a

Horticultural Department , University of Guilan , Rasht , Iran Accepted author version posted online: 29 Apr 2013.Published online: 11 Nov 2014.

To cite this article: H. Ayyobi , E. Hassanpour , S. Alaqemand , S. Fathi , J. A. Olfati & Gh. Peyvast (2014) Vermicompost Leachate and Vermiwash Enhance French Dwarf Bean Yield, International Journal of Vegetable Science, 20:1, 21-27, DOI: 10.1080/19315260.2012.753496 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2012.753496

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions

International Journal of Vegetable Science, 20:21–27, 2014 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1931-5260 print / 1931-5279 online DOI: 10.1080/19315260.2012.753496

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

Vermicompost Leachate and Vermiwash Enhance French Dwarf Bean Yield H. Ayyobi, E. Hassanpour, S. Alaqemand, S. Fathi, J. A. Olfati, and Gh. Peyvast Horticultural Department, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran Vermicompost has beneficial effects on plant growth. However, vermicompost increases electrical conductivity in soil due to increased salinity associated with continued usage. An experiment was conducted to determine effects of 0 and 7 Mt·ha−1 of cow manure vermicompost, 7 Mt·ha−1 of vermicompost leachate, or vermicompost leachate with vermiwash and a no-fertilization control on French dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield and development. Type of vermi-fertilizer affected all measured characteristics except individual pod fresh and dry weights. Plants treated with vermiwash had the tallest plants, longest pods, number of pods per plant, number of lateral branches, and number of pods, but the highest plant dry weight and longest internodes were from plants treated with vermicompost leachate. Vermiwash combined with vermicompost leachate negatively affected vegetative characteristics and yield. With leaching, the negative effects of vermicompost related to high electrical conductivity decreased and continuous application of this material may be possible. Vermicompost leachate and vermiwash can be used as fertilizer for sustainable bean cultivation. Keywords Phaseolus vulgaris, Fertilizer, Farming, Iran, Organic, Sustainable agriculture.

If appropriate amounts of fertilizers are not applied during production, physiological symptoms of deficiency can occur in French dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.; Olfati et al., 2012; Takahashi, 1981). Most producers use synthetic fertilizers because they are easy to transport, quickly available to plants, and produce high yields. However, with succeeding crops, quantities of chemical fertilizers must be increased because of low soil fertility (Thy and Buntha, 2005). Organic fertilizers have beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability, help maintain yield and quality, and are less costly than synthetic fertilizers (Olfati et al., 2012; Thy and Buntha, 2005). Address correspondence to J. A. Olfati, Horticultural Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

22

H. Ayyobi et al.

Large amounts of organic wastes—that is, biosolids, animal manures, and household wastes—are produced in Iran. These wastes may be used in production of vegetables or to restore soil fertility (Benton and Wester, 1998; Krogman et al., 1997), because they contain large quantities of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K; Elliot and Dempsey, 1991). Thermophilic composting is biological aerobic decomposition of organic residues in which labile organic matter is degraded to CO2 , H2 O, NH3 , inorganic nutrients, and stable organic material containing humic-like substances (Senesi, 1989). Compost is homogenous, retains most of its original nutrients, and has reduced levels of organic contaminants because they are degraded before use (Ndegwa et al., 2000); it can be applied to increase soil organic matter and nutrients, which can be released upon decomposition; improve soil structure; and increase cation exchange capacity. However, thermophilic composting is generally time consuming, requiring frequent mixing with possible loss of nutrients. Certain species of earthworms can fragment organic material residuals into finer particles by passing them through a grinding gizzard (Ndegwa and Thompson, 2001). Additionally, earthworms reduce populations of human pathogens, an effect obtained in traditional composting by increasing temperature (Contreras-Ramos et al., 2004). There is evidence that earthworms produce plant hormones in their secretions (Suthar, 2010a, 2010b). Earthworm-processed material casts contain nutrients in forms easily available to plants (Suthar, 2008, 2009, 2010a, 2010b; Suthar and Singh, 2008; Taylor et al., 2003). Greenhouse and field studies have examined the effects of vermicompost on cereals and legumes (Chan and Griffiths, 1988), vegetables (Atiyeh et al., 1999; Edwards and Burrows, 1988; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, and Forghani, 2008; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, Forghani, and Samizadeh, 2008; Subler et al., 1998; Wilson and Carlile, 1989), ornamental and flowering plants (Edwards and Burrows, 1988), and field crops (Buckerfield and Webster, 1998; Mba, 1996). Most of these investigations confirmed that vermicomposts have beneficial effects on plant growth. Vermicomposts, used as soil additives or as components of greenhouse bedding plant container media, improve seed germination, enhance seedling growth and development, and increase overall plant productivity (Atiyeh et al., 2000). Szczech (1999) suggested that chemical factors in vermicompost had no direct inhibiting effects on soil-borne fungi but that bacteria and fungi in the vermicompost were antagonistic to Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. The final vermicomposting product has high electrical conductivity (EC), which increases soil salinity with continued usage. To reduce EC, vermicompost leachate and vermivash have been developed. Vermiwash may contain cytokinins, auxin, amino acid, vitamins, and enzymes possibly derived from microbes associated with earthworms (Suthar, 2010a). There is a demand

French Dwarf Bean Yield

for naturally derived agro-chemicals for sustainable farming systems, and organic production disallows use of synthetic chemicals. There is no comprehensive study concerning the impact of vermiwash and vermicompost leachate on French dwarf bean. This project was undertaken to determine the effects of vermicomposted cow manure and the leachate residue with vermiwash on growth and yield of French dwarf bean.

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was conducted in a research field at the University of Guilan Campus, Agriculture Faculty, Rasht, Iran (altitude 7 m below mean sea level, 37◦ 16 N, 51◦ 3 E), from Apr. to Sept. 2012. The soil was a loam, pH 7.44, containing total N (1%), total C (1.08%), and there was 4600, 1700, and 4000 mg·kg−1 of Ca, P, and K, respectively, in soil dry matter, with an EC of 0.1 ds·cm−1 . The soil was prepared by plowing and disking. Local cultivar seed of bean were sown on 15 Apr. with a distance of 0.5 × 0.15 m between rows and plants. Each plot area was 4 m2 containing 50 plants. Earthworms (Eisenia fetida; 25 g earthworms·kg−1 of cattle manure or 2.5 kg earthworms/m2 per bed) were added and vermicomposted for 2 months (Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, and Forghani, 2008; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, Forghani, and Samizadeh, 2008). The vermicompost had a water content of 380 g·kg−1 , pH 6.82; total C content of 23.8% dry matter (DM) and a total N content of 1.5% DM. The vermicompost (100 kg) was flushed with 50 L of water and leachate (vermiwash) collected. A completely randomized design with three replications was used. Treatments included 0 and 7 Mt·ha−1 of cow manure vermicompost or leachate vermicompost; 7 Mt·ha−1 of leachate vermicompost with vermiwash and a nofertilizer control where vermicompost and leachate vermicompost treatment spread over beds; and vermiwash applied four times to plants at a 7-day interval with the first application one month after seed sowing. At harvest total yield, number of pods per plant, pod weight, number of lateral branches per plant, percentage dry matter of pod and plant, internode length, number of nodes, pod length, and plant height were determined. Chopped pods and plants were placed in a forced air drying oven at 75◦ C for 48 h to determine dry matter. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SAS (ver. 9.1, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). Means were separated using Tukey’s test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Fertilizer type affected all measured characteristics except individual pod fresh and dry weight (Tables 1 and 2). Pod fresh weight averaged 4.62 g and

23

24

H. Ayyobi et al. Table 1: ANOVA table of effects of different vermicompost usage on plant height, pod length, pod fresh and dry weight, and number of nodes. Mean square Source of variation

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

Rep. Treatment Error CV (%)

df

2 3 6

Plant height

Pod length

Pod fresh weight

Pod dry weight

Number of nodes

70.65∗∗ 22.2∗ 3.62 4.12

1.88∗ 1.05∗ 0.2 4.57

2.23∗∗ 1.16 ns 0.28 11.54

0.07 ns 0.06 ns 0.02 16.43

0.64∗∗ 0.18∗ 0.03 2.11

ns, ∗ , ∗∗ Nonsignificant or significant at P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.04, respectively.

Table 2: ANOVA table of effects of different vermicompost usage on number of lateral branches, plant dry weight, internode length, number of pods, and total yield. Mean square Source of variation

Rep. Treatment Error CV (%)

df

2 3 6

Number of lateral branches

Plant dry weight

Internode length

Number of pods

Total yield

0.65∗∗ 1.58∗∗ 0.02 1.74

6.05∗∗ 4.55∗∗ 0.23 3.36

0.09∗∗ 2.29∗∗ 0.001 0.55

12∗ 93.11∗∗ 1.78 4.94

156.6∗∗ 160.24∗∗ 13.35 15.75

ns, ∗ , ∗∗ Nonsignificant or significant at P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.04, respectively.

pod dry weight percentage averaged 0.93%. Plants treated with vermiwash had the tallest plants, longest pods, most pods per plant, most lateral branches, and greatest number of pods; highest plant dry weight and longest internodes were from plants treated with vermicompost leachate (Tables 3 and 4); differences between plants treated with vermicompost leachate and vermiwash were not different. Vermiwash combined with vermicompost leachate negatively affected vegetative characteristics and yield (Table 2). Organic fertilizers beneficially effect soil structure and nutrient availability; they maintain quantity and quality of yield and can be less costly than synthetic fertilizers (Olfati et al., 2012; Thy and Buntha, 2005). Application of organic fertilizers may help alleviate soil erosion (Shahvali and Abedi, 2006), and saline and sodium problems as a result of excessive chemical fertilization and irrigation (Allahyari et al., 2008). Use of sustainable organic materials can increase fertility without negative effects on human health and environment. Vermicompost (Gutie´rrez-Miceli et al., 2007; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, and Forghani, 2008; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, Forghani, and Samizadeh, 2008) and vermiwash (Suthar, 2010b) have been proposed as organic fertilizers, but there are no reports about combined application of vermiwash and vermicompost

French Dwarf Bean Yield Table 3: Effect of treatment on plant height, pod length, pod fresh and dry weight, and number of nodes. Means

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

Treatment

7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost Vermiwash prepared from 7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost 7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost leachate 7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost leachate + vermiwash

Plant height

Pod length

Pod fresh weight

Pod dry weight

Number of nodes

47.28aba 48.21a

10.18a 9.7ab

5.1a 4.57a

1.03a 0.91a

7.77ab 7.87a

46.86ab

10.07ab

5.05a

1.02a

7.8a

8.87b

3.76a

0.74a

7.33b

42.13b

a Values in columns followed by the same letter are not significantly different, P < 0.05, Tukey’s test.

Table 4: Effect of treatment on number of lateral branches, plant dry weight, internode length, number of pods, and total yield. Means

Treatment

7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost Vermiwash prepared from 7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost 7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost leachate 7 Mt·ha−1 vermicompost leachate + vermiwash a Values

Number of lateral branches

Plant dry weight

Internode length

Number of pods

Total yield

7.93aa 8.47a

14.62a 14.68a

7.06a 7.13a

29.33a 30.33a

26.52ab 25.93ab

8.03a

15.42a

7.1a

29.67a

28.05a

6.77b

12.55b

5.35b

18.67b

12.33b

in columns followed by the same letter are not significantly different, P < 0.01, Tukey’s

test.

leachate on vegetables. Most investigations confirmed that vermicomposts are beneficial to plant growth (Atiyeh et al., 1999; Buckerfield and Webster, 1998; Chan and Griffiths, 1988; Edwards and Burrows, 1988; Mba, 1996; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, and Forghani, 2008; Peyvast, Olfati, Madeni, Forghani, and Samizadeh, 2008; Subler et al., 1998; Wilson and Carlile, 1989). Vermicompst leachate contains slightly higher amounts of sodium (Na); vermiwash contains high potassium (K), which, as a primary nutrient, is needed in high amounts for plant growth (Gutierrez-Miceli et al., 2007). Quaik and Ibrahim (2013) reported that for mung bean (Vigna radiate L.), using leached vermicompost and vermiwash, germination was higher in 10% vermiwash than in treatment with 10% vermicompost leachate.

25

26

H. Ayyobi et al.

The main problem that can arise from excessive vermicompost application is plant toxicity due to high salt content. With leaching, the negative effects of vermicompost related to high EC (Gutie´rrez-Miceli et al., 2007) decreased and continuous application of this material may be possible. The vermicompost leachate and vermiwash can be used as organic fertilizer for sustainable bean cultivation.

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

REFERENCES Allahyari, M.S., M. Chizari, and M. Homaee. 2008. Perceptions of Iranian agricultural extension professionals toward sustainable agriculture concepts. J. Agr. Soc. Sci. 4(3):101–106. Atiyeh, R.M., N. Arancon, C.A. Edwards, and J.D. Metzger. 2000. Influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and yield of greenhouse tomatoes. Bioresource Technol. 75:175–180. Atiyeh, R.M., S. Subler, C.A. Edwards, and J. Metzger. 1999. Growth of tomato plants in horticultural potting media amended with vermicompost. Pedobiologia 43: 724–728. Benton, M.W. and D.B. Wester. 1998. Biosolids effects on tobosograss and alkali sacatonin a chihuahuan desert grassland. J. Environ. Quality 27:199–208. Buckerfield, J.C. and K.A. Webster. 1998. Worm-worked waste boosts grape yields: prospects for vermicompost use in vineyards. Austral. N.Z. Wine Ind. J. 13:73–76. Chan, P.L.S. and D.A. Griffiths. 1988. The vermicomposting of pretreated pig manure. Biol. Waste 24:57–69. Contreras-Ramos, S.M., E.M. Escamilla-Silva, and L. Dendooven. 2004. Vermicomposting of biosolids with cow manure and oat straw. Biol. Fert. Soils 41: 190–198. Edwards, C.A. and I. Burrows. 1988. The potential of earthworm composts as plant growth media, p. 21–32. In: C.A. Edwards and E. Neuhauser (eds.). Earthworms in waste and environmental management. SPB Academic Press, The Hague, The Netherlands. Elliot, H.A. and B.A. Dempsey. 1991. Agronomic effects of land application of water treatment sludges. J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. 83:126(Abstr.). Gutie´rrez-Miceli, F.A., J. Santiago-Borraz, J.A.M. Molina, C.C. Nafate, M. Abud´ Archila, M.A.O. Llaven, R. Rincon-Rosales, and L. Dendooven. 2007. Vermicompost as a soil supplement to improve growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum). Bioresource Techol. 98:2781–2786. Krogman, U., L.S. Boyles, C.J. Martel, and K.A. McComas. 1997. Biosolids and sludge management. Water Environ. Res. 69:534–549. Mba, C.C. 1996. Treated-cassava peel vermicomposts enhanced earthworm activities and cowpea growth in field plots. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 17: 219–226. Ndegwa, P.M. and S.A. Thompson. 2001. Integrating composting and vermicomposting in the treatment and bioconversion of biosolids. Bioresource Technol. 76:107–112. Ndegwa, P.M., S.A. Thompson, and K.C. Das. 2000. Effects of stocking density and feeding rate on vermicomposting of biosolids. Bioresource Technol. 71:5–12.

French Dwarf Bean Yield Olfati, J.A., S.A. Khasmakhi-Sabet, H. Shabani, and Gh. Peyvast. 2012. New organic fertilizer increased bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield better than cow manure. Intl. J. Veg. Sci. 18:1–9. Peyvast, Gh., J.A. Olfati, S. Madeni, and A. Forghani. 2008. Effect of vermicompost on the growth and yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Food Agr. Environ. 16(1):110–113.

Downloaded by [J. A. Olfati] at 21:02 20 December 2013

Peyvast, Gh., J.A. Olfati, S. Madeni, A. Forghani, and H. Samizadeh. 2008. Vermicompost as a soil supplement to improve growth and yield of parsley. Intl. J. Veg. Sci. 14(2):82–92. Quial, S., and M.H. Ibrahim. 2013. A review on potential of vermicomposting derived liquids in agricultural use. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications 3(3):1–6. Senesi, N. 1989. Composted materials as organic fertilizers. Sci. Total Environ. 81: 521–542. Shahvali, M. and A. Abedi. 2006. Realization of future world approaches towards agricultural extension through a management theory of universal organizations. Roosta va towse’e 8(4):113–145. Subler, S., C.A. Edwards, and J. Metzger. 1998. Comparing vermicomposts and composts. BioCycle 39:63–66. Suthar, S. 2008. Bioconversion of post harvest crop residues and cattle shed manure into value-added products using earthworms Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg. Ecol. Eng. 32:206–214. Suthar, S. 2009. Vermicomposting of vegetable market solid waste using Eisenia fetida: impact of bulking material on earthworm growth and decomposition rate. Ecol. Eng. 35:914–920. Suthar, S. 2010a. Evidence of plant hormone like substances in vermiwash: an ecologically safe option of synthetic chemicals for sustainable farming. Ecol. Eng. 36:1089–1092. Suthar, S. 2010b. Pilot-scale vermireactors for sewage sludge stabilization and metal remediation process: comparison with small-scale vermireactors. Ecol. Eng. 36:703–712. Suthar, S. and S. Singh. 2008. Comparison of some novel polyculture and traditional monoculture vermicomposting reactors to decompose organic wastes. Ecol. Eng. 33:210–219. Szczech, M.M. 1999. Suppressiveness of vermicompost against fusarium wilts of tomato. J. Phytopathol. 147:155–161. Takahashi, K. 1981. Physiological disorders in Chinese cabbage, p. 225–233. In: N.S. Talekar and T.D. Griggs (eds.). Chinese cabbage. AVRDC, Shanhua, Taiwan. Taylor, M., W.P. Clarke, and P.F. Greenfield. 2003. The treatment of domestic wastewater using small-scale vermicompost filter beds. Ecol. Eng. 21(2–3):197–203. Thy, S. and P. Buntha. 2005. Evaluation of fertilizer of fresh solid manure, composted manure or biodigester effluent for growing Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis). Livestock Res. Rural Dev. 17(3):149–154. (http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/ 3/sant17026.htm). Wilson, D.P. and W.R. Carlile. 1989. Plant growth in potting media containing wormworked duck waste. Acta Hort. 238:205–220.

27