Leafy Vegetables’ Agronomic Variables, Nitrate, and Bioactive Compounds Have Different Responses to Bokashi, Mineral Fertilization, and Boiled Chicken Manure

Abstract

In the current study, the effect of boiled chicken manure (BCM) doses by fertigation, bokashi, and mineral fertilization on the agronomic variables, bioactive compounds, and nitrate levels of two cultivars of lettuce (romaine and frisée types) and one cultivar of radicchio chicory was studied. Overall, higher agronomic variable values were found for the leafy plants in bokashi-fertilized plants. The BCM 5, 7.5, and 10% fertilization, in general, increased these variables in an apparent increasing trend. For chicory, bokashi presented higher means in comparison with BCM for TB, CB, and CI. For frisée lettuce, bokashi had the highest values for TB, CB, and PH. For romaine, bokashi presented the highest means for all the variables, except for PD. For bioactive compounds, each plant species responded differently when varying the fertilization source. For the nitrate content, higher values were observed in the bokashi and mineral treatments.

Using Bokashi and Cow Urine as Organic Low-Cost Amendments Can Enhance Arugula (Eruca sativa L.) Agronomic Traits but Not Always Total Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity

“…For DPPH assays, previous studies showed that organic fertilizer and amendments alter the polyphenol profile and, consequently, the antioxidant capacity [15,28,29,50]. Romaine and frisée lettuce cultivars' total phenolics increased by 30 and 35%, respectively, with the use of bokashi amendment in comparison to the control (water only) [19]. However, similarly to our study, the means of the DPPH and FRAP antioxidant methods varied and bokashi did not show higher means than the control [19].…”

“…Romaine and frisée lettuce cultivars' total phenolics increased by 30 and 35%, respectively, with the use of bokashi amendment in comparison to the control (water only) [19]. However, similarly to our study, the means of the DPPH and FRAP antioxidant methods varied and bokashi did not show higher means than the control [19]. TPC and DPPH assays were also not consistent in the two different experimental areas.…”

“…The use of bokashi in agriculture has been well documented [10,11]. In general, studies show improvements in agronomic characteristics in a variety of plant species, ranging from seedling production [12][13][14], vegetables [15][16][17][18][19], fruits [20], to ornamental [21].…”

“…Besides the plant production traits, the bioactive compound levels can be affected by different sources of fertilization [19,28,29]. In rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) petioles, organic fertilizer with chicken manure provided higher total phenols content and antioxidant activity than control (unfertilized), being similar or superior compared to plants under chemical fertilization [28].…”

Quality of Bokashi-Type Biofertilizer Formulations and Its Application in the Production of Vegetables in an Ecological System

“…To further optimize the efficiency of the bio-oxidation process and enhance the mineralization of organic matter, the application of microbial inoculants and ultra-diluted dynamized preparations is viable [17,20]. This holistic approach elevates the overall efficacy of the process, fostering the conversion of base materials into a nutrient-rich and biologically active substrate [21,22].…”