Effect of Vermicompost on Growth, Plant Nutrient Uptake and Bioactivity of Ex Vitro Pineapple (Ananas comosus var. MD2)

Abstract

Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic waste produced from earthworms that is beneficial in enhancing the soil condition and has been reported to aid in improving the crop yield and quality. In the present study, a field trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates to elucidate the effects of vermicompost application (compared to supplementation with chemical fertilizer and no fertilizer) on the productivity of ex vitro MD2 pineapple plants. Vermicompost was applied on the sandy loam soils at transplanting followed by a second application at 7 months after planting (MAP) at the rate of 10 t·ha−1, while chemical fertilizer was applied based on the recommended cultivation practice. Data analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the plants treated with vermicompost and chemical fertilizer in terms of the plant height, number of leaves, length and width of D-leaves, stomatal density and stomatal size. However, the fruits produced with vermicompost amendment were smaller in size but contained higher total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total solids, ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll content compared to the fruits produced from plants supplied with chemical fertilizer. Based on the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, the methanolic fruit extracts from the control plants showed the highest antioxidant potential, followed by those of plants treated with vermicompost and chemical fertilizer. On the other hand, the application of vermicompost reduced soil acidity and produced macro- and micronutrient contents (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Fe, Zn, B and Al) in the soil and plants that were comparable to or higher than those produced by the chemical fertilizer treatment. However, some of the nutrient contents observed in all treatments were lower than the recommended range for pineapple plant growth, suggesting that vermicompost or chemical fertilizer should not be used alone as a source of nutrients for ex vitro MD2 pineapple plants under these soil and field conditions. However, vermicompost can be used as a supplement to increase the fruit chemical quality and maintain the soil quality for agricultural sustainability.

Integrated Nutrient Management for Rice Yield, Soil Fertility, and Carbon Sequestration

“…The higher sulphur content in soil could be attributed to a greater mineralization of organic sulphur and release of SO 4 2− ions on its gradual oxidation. Our results were also supported by many other researchers [ 13 , 48 , 49 ] who reported higher organic carbon, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S contents in post-harvest soils due to integrated organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment. It has also been reported that, in addition to the macro-nutrients, organic matter also contains micro-nutrients [ 44 , 50 ], which may promote and maintain the sustainable nutrients supply to the soil.…”

“…Poultry manure (PM) and vermicompost (VC) are the potential organic sources of soil organic C and plant nutrients [ 11 , 12 ]. Many reports showed that PM and VC are the source of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S that can improve the soil fertility and the grain crops can uptake more of these nutrients [ 3 , 11 , 13 ]. As VC is rich in microbial activity and contains antagonistic organisms to control plant pathogens, it is also, therefore, an effective biocontrol agent [ 14 ].…”

Effect of different vermicomposts and bioslurry on growth, yield and postharvest quality of statice

“…The observations of the present study suggesting promotive effect of vermicomposts on vegetative growth are consistent with the findings of Mahmud et al (2020) who reported insignificant difference in plant height and foliage parameters between pineapple plants treated with vermicompost and chemical fertilizer. While working with strawberry cv.…”

Effect of Planting Density on the Agronomic Performance and Fruit Quality of Three Pineapple Cultivars (Ananas comosus L. Merr.)

“…In fact, when using high densities, manual practices are often difficult and impractical. Regarding fruit length, the results obtained are close to the values reported in other studies [12,30]. In contrast, the diameter of fruits harvested in this study exceeds that reported for fruits of pineapple "Queen" cultivar, whose values were less than 10 cm [13].…”

“…However, achieving acceptable and desirable fruit characteristics for the consumer is the sum of various factors, such as crop management strategies and climatic conditions, as well as the availability of soils with optimum pH values. e latter is directly related to the availability of nutrients, which are required for plant growth and fruit formation [29,30]. e fruit weight (+crown) presented significant variations according to the treatment, with values ranging from 1.69 kg to 2.04 kg per fruit.…”