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Abstract. Vermi worms (Eisenia fetida), Trichoderma harzianum and Effective Microorganism are organisms commonly used as inoculant in composting which are capable of enhancing compost quality. This study was conducted to assess the growth performance of pechay (Brassica rapa) in composts produced from single and combined applications of these organisms applied as mulch. The experiment was laid-out in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. Pechay seedlings were grown in polyethylene bags for four weeks and the number of leaves, width, and length, wet and dry weights were determined. Positive (urea applied at 0.65 grams plant-1) and negative (soil only) controls were likewise set-up. Results show that T. harzianum + Vermicompost (T4) turned to have superior effects to plant growth as it produced higher number of leaves, widest leaf diameter, highest leaf length and heaviest fresh and dry weights among the six compost treatments and is comparable to plants applied with inorganic fertilizer. Thus, application of compost from T. harzianum + Vermi worms can be recommended for pechay production.
Key Words: Brassica rapa, effective microorganism, Eisenia fetida, Trichoderma harzianum.
Introduction. Every compost activator has a unique outcome in the compost product. Several studies enumerated several positive outcomes in the application of vermi worms (Eisenia fetida), Trichoderma harzianum, and Effective microorganism (EM) in composting. For instance, vermicompost showed beneficial physical, biological and chemical effects on soils, and these effects increase plant growth and crop yields in both natural and agro ecosystems. Vermicompost have demonstrated consistently beneficial effects on plant growth independent of nutrient transformations and availability (Dominguez et al 2012). Theunissen et al (2010) found that vermicompost contained plants nutrients including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B, the uptake of which had positive effects on plant nutrition, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content of the leaves and improves the nutrient content of the different plant components (roots, shoots and the fruits). Composting with EM has resulted to an increase in the macro and micronutrient contents of the product (Jusoh et al 2013). Correa (2001) proved that EM compost applied as biofertilizer increased yield of plants such as peanut - Arachis hypogaea by 43%, cashew - Anacardium occidentale (47.5%), mango - Mangifera indica (15%) and guava - Psidium guajava (100%). These are...