Influence of Solid and Liquid Red California Vermicompost (Eisenia foetida) on Lactuca sativa var. crispa L

Abstract

In this study, the effects of different doses and applications of vermicompost formed by composting cow manure with Red California Worm Eisenia fetida (Lumbricidae) on the growth, development, and pesticide resistance of L. sativa var. crispa (Lettuce) was tried to be determined. Vermicompost was applied in solid and liquid form at rates 10%, 20% and 30%. The leaf length, leaf width, chlorophyll amount (SPAD), number of marketable leaves, number of discarded leaves, leaf pH, leaf nitrogen content and pesticide residue analyze were examined in plant samples. In addition, texture, pH, organic matter, EC, total N, P, K, Mg and Ca analyzes were made in the soil samples and vermicompost used in the study. According to the statistical analysis results of the study, it was determined that all results except leaf pH, the number of discarded leaves and pesticide residue analyzes were statistically significant in terms of vermicompost type and dose. In all the parameters studied, solid vermicompost application have higher results than both the control and commercial liquid vermicompost. The highest leaf length and width values were determined at 20% dose of solid vermicompost, while chlorophyll amount and leaf nitrogen values were determined at 30% dose. The number of marketable leaves was the same in all doses of solid vermicompost application. However, it was no found statistically significant difference in pesticide residue analyzes in terms of vermicompost types, dose amounts and vermicompost type-dose interactions. The fungicide residue levels were above MRL (Maximum residue limits) in all studied samples.