Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie / Polskie Towarzystwo Magnezologiczne im. Prof. Juliana Aleksandrowicza
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the vermicompost Lumbrical,
produced by the Californian earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, on growth, nitrogen content,
leaf gas exchange and productivity of pepper plants (cv. Gorogled 6). The experiments
were carried out in 2007-2009, on experimental field of the Agroecological Centre of the
Agricultural University of Plovdiv (Bulgaria). Immediately before planting, two levels of
the vermicompost were applied: 50 and 100 cm3 per plant. Thirty days after planting, some
of the plants fertilized with 50 cm3 Lumbrical (the third variant) were additionally fed
with a solution of vermicompost (200 cm3 per plant). Prior to the experiment, chemical
and microbiological analyses were performed on both the soil and vermicompost. During
plant vegetation, some biometrical indices characterizing the plant growth were measured.
The nitrogen concentration and nitrate reductase activity in leaves of pepper plants were
determined. The leaf gas exchange was taken into account. The pepper yield and quality
parameters of fruits were analyzed. The results of the present study showed that by feeding
the pepper with the vermicompost Lumbrical it was possible to increase the plants’
vegetative mass improve the development of their generative organs. Incorporation of the
vermicompost into the soil increased the content of N in the root area. It also considerably
raised the nitrogen content in leaves of pepper plants. A positive correlation between the
content N in leaves and the activity of the enzyme called nitrate reductase was observed.
The positive effect of the vermicompost was reflected by improved leaf gas exchange parameters
and productivity of plants