Earthworm Humus Effect on Production, Quality and Prococity of Zinnia Elegans J., Caliistephus Chinesis N. And Calendula Officinalis L., Under Polyethilene Greenhouse

Contreras, Ángela; Sanches, Sérgio Veraguas; Seeman, P; Verdugo, Gabriela

doi:10.17660/actahortic.1994.357.24

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Growth and quality of medicinal plants were shown to be strongly affected by soil conditions and amendments of earthworm-worked compost (vermicompost) and other composts increased the growth and flower production of Calendula (Contreras et al 1994, Paim et al 2010) and other ornamental plant species (Lazcano and Dominguez 2010). It remains to be investigated whether earthworms and/or AMF also evoke changes in the chemical quality of plants as observed for vermicompost for horticultural plants (Zaller 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of the medicinal herb Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae)

Zaller¹,

Saccani²,

Frank³

2011

PLANT SOIL ENVIRON

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Both earthworms and symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) often co-occurr in ecosystems, however very little is known on their interrelationships. Here we tested to what extent earthworms (Annelida) or AMF (Glomales) separately or in combination affect the growth of the pharmaceutical plant species, pot marigold (Calendula officinalis, Asteraceae). We conducted a greenhouse experiment using non-sterilized field soil where we manipulated the factors earthworms (addition/no addition of the vertical burrowing species Lumbricus terrestris) and AMF (addition/no addition of a mix of the four Glomus taxa G. geosporum, G. mosseae, G. intraradices, G. claroideum). Leaf length and flower stem length was significantly increased by earthworms but remained unaffected by additional AMF. The longest leaves and flower stems were observed in pots containing earthworms but no additional AMF. The number of flower buds was unaffected by earthworms but marginally significantly increased by AMF. Plant shoot biomass production was significantly higher when earthworms were present; AMF inoculation had no effect on biomass production. Root biomass production and total plant biomass production remained unaffected by earthworms or AMF. These results indicate that in soil already containing AMF earthworm addition primarily affects vegetative growth while additional AMF inoculation tended to affect reproductive plant parts.

show abstract