Determination of the carrot (Daucus carota L.) yields parameters by vermicompost and earthworms (Eisenia foetida)

The impact of different types of vermicomposts as well as different species and genera of earthworms on the quantity of the cultivated crops yield has been studied for decades. There is scarce information about the effects of these factors on the quality of plant production. One of the qualitative parameters of vegetables, to which a&nbsp;special attention is paid, is the content of antioxidants (vitamin C, total polyphenols and other substances). The pot experiment carried out in the vegetation cage studied: A) the influence of soil itself, soil mixed with vermicompost in a ratio of 4:1; B) the influence of earthworms number (genus Eisenia foetida, 10 and 20 individuals per pot) supplied to soil mixed with vermicompost in a ratio of 4:1 on the weight of radish roots and leaves, to the total chlorophylls content in leaves, to the selected qualitative parameters of the roots and leaves (vitamin C, total polyphenols content,&nbsp; total antioxidant activity). The results showed that the supplementation of vermicompost into soil increased the content of the total chlorophylls in leaves. The carrot roots and leaves yield has also been risen. In the roots the content of vitamin C and content of total polyphenols (TPC) was decreased and the total antioxidant activity (TAA) dropped, too. The increased content of vitamin C and TPC was detected in leaves. The inoculation of soil containing vermicompost by earthworms increased the root yield and TAA in roots. It increased the content of vitamin C and TPC in leaves. From the viewpoint of antioxidant content (vitamin C and total polyphenols) the leaves are more attractive than a&nbsp;root.&nbsp;</p

Vermicompost and Eisenia Foetida as Factors Influencing the Formation of Radish Phytomass

Many of the world’s findings indicate the positive effect of earthworms on soil parameters, and consequently, on the formation of phytomass of cultivated plants. In our experiment we studied: A) the influence of soil itself, soil mixed with vermicompost in a ratio of 9:1; B) the influence of earthworms number (genus Eisenia foetida, 10 and 20 individuals per pot) supplied to soil mixed with vermicompost in the ratio of 9:1 on the dynamics of changes in the weight of radish roots, the total chlorophyll content in leaves and the selected qualitative parameters of the roots. The results obtained showed that one tenth proportion of vermicompost from the total weight of soil substrate caused the statistically significant increase in the total chlorophyll content in leaves, the increase in yield of radish roots, the reduction of the vitamin C content and the increase of nitrate content in the roots. The impact of earthworms on the chlorophyll content in leaves and on the root weight was negative. The addition of 10 individuals of earthworms into 20 kg of substrate (soil + vermicompost) resulted in the increased content of vitamin C and the decreased content of nitrates in the radish roots. Twenty earthworms added to vermicompost, compared to vermicompost alone, did not affect the vitamin C content and reduced the nitrate content

Potential Phytotoxic Effect of Essential Oil of Non-Native Species Impatiens parviflora DC.

Impatiens parviflora is non-native invasive plant species occupying large areas all over the Europe and threatens native communities by altering their species composition and reducing native biodiversity. The factor responsible for its spreading could be explained by releasing biochemical to the environment. On the other hands, high demand on secondary metabolites as potential source of new ecofriendly biocides could be beneficial. The analysis of I. parviflora essential oil (EO) led us to identify more than 60 volatiles. The main compound was hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, other dominant components were phytol, carvacrol, germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1-&alpha;-ol, and pentacosane. The potential phytotoxic effect of I. parviflora EO collected in two vegetation periods (summer and autumn) was evaluated on seed germination and root elongation of three dicot species (Raphanus sativus, Lepidum sativum, and Lactuca sativa) and on one monocot species (Triticum aestivum). The seed germination of only one dicot species, L. sativa, was affected by both EOs. In contrast, seed germination of monocot species T. aestivum was influenced only by the highest doses of EOs isolated from I. parviflora in autumn. The root elongation of tested plant species was less influenced by I. parviflora EOs. L. sativum showed sensitivity to one dose of EOs hydrodistilled in summer, while the monocot species was influenced by both EOs samples in highest doses. Our findings revealed that I. parviflora contained phenolics that were phytotoxic to the germination of some plant species, mainly at higher EOs doses, while root elongation of tested plants was not suppressed by essential oils