Production of vermicompost containing water hyacinth and vegetable fragments

Abstract

The objectives of the research was to 1) compare the efficiency of the vermicompost prepared from water hyacinth mixed with vegetable fragments 2) study to physical, chemical and macronutrient properties of vermicompost 3) compare the vermicompost efficiency in cultivation of pakchor (Brassica chinensis L.). The three formulas of the vermicompost are formula 1 compost contained of 4 kilograms of water hyacinth: 4 kilograms of cow manure, formula 2 compost contained of 4 kilograms of vegetable fragments: 4 kilograms of cow manure and formula 3 compost contained of 2 kilograms of water hyacinth: 2 kilograms of vegetable fragments: 4 kilograms of cow manure. The experimental design used the completely randomized design (CRD) for five replications of the four treatments of pakchor cultivation. Chemical analyses of the vermicompost formula 1, 2 and 3 indicated the values of the pH were 8.247, 8.206 and 8.303 the moisture content were 2.041, 2.480 and 1.864 percent by weight the EC (decicements/meter) were 0.047, 0.051 and 0.054 and the organic matter content were 53.560, 61.696 and 73.636 respectively. For macronutrient content, nitrogen were 1.49, 1.65 and 2.05. Phosphorus were 0.83, 0.90 and 0.91. Potassium were of 2.32, 2.60 and 2.56. All results are comply with the standard for organic fertilizer issued by the department of agriculture. In conclusion, the vermicompost formula 3 was the most suitable material for cultivation of Pakchor (Brassica chinensis L.) comparison among 3 formula, formula 3 is the best with in statistical significance at p≤0.05).