A preliminary study on emergence and growth of carrot seedlings in response to varying proportions of vermicompost and copper

Abstract

Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich amendment commonly used to restore soil health such as restoration of trace element contamination of growing media. A pot study was carried out to determine vermin compost and copper (Cu) interaction on little finger carrot (Daucus carota cv. Nantes) seedlings emergence and plant growth. The treatments were varying rates of Cu (i.e., 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg Cu l-1) and vermicompost (i.e., 0, 25, 50 and 75% w/w).At two weeks after sowing, the emergence rate of carrot seedlings in pots with no vermicompost (i.e., control) were 0.22, 0.25, and 0.32 folds higher than those that received the 25%, 50% and 75% vermicompost, respectively. Vermicompost, Cu and their interaction had significant (p<0.05) effects on leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents. The 50% vermicompost combined with the 100 mg Cu l-1 resulted in greater leaf greenness and anthocyanin content. Plant height and number of leaves were significantly (p<0.05)increased by 0.07 and 0.16 folds following the application of the 25% and 50% vermin compost respectively, compared to the control. The 50% vermicompost had a strongly positive impact on the carrot shoot compared to the root. This preliminary study on little finger carrot cv. Nantes seedlings will require further detailed studies to explain vermicompost mitigation of Cu stress on carrot plants and productivity.