EFFECT OF THE USE OF VERMICOMPOST ON THE PLANT GROWTH PARAMETERS OF PAK CHOI (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) AND ON THE SOIL STRUCTURE IN SURINAME

The present research was carried out during May-July 2015 at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo with the objective of exploring the application of vermicompost on plant growth parameters of white Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and the soil structure. The experiment was carried out (RBD) in a greenhouse for a total of 7 weeks. The treatments were control (WC), cow manure (WS) and vermicompost (WV). Plant growth parameters were recorded during the experiment (plant height and number of leaves) and after harvest (root and shoot biomass, leaf area). Nutrient analysis (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, and Fe) of Pak choi was also conducted, followed by pre and post experiment soil analysis (pH, EC, TOC, NPK, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe). The results were collected and analyzed using Sigma Plot 12.0 tools. Number of leaves were maximum in WC (14±0.34), followed by WS (13±0.42) and WV (12±0.35). Plant height of 28.00±0.62 cm was maximum in WV followed by WC (27.70±0.70 cm) and WS (27.00±0.86 cm). Plant fresh weight was higher in WV (147.10±8.98g) followed by WC (138.50±10.69g) and WS (135.70±12.76g). Leaf surface area of 203±10.63 cm2 was maximum in WV followed by WS (181±17.64 cm2) and WC (174±14.14 cm2). The evaluation of the effect of vermicompost as a bio-fertilizer on the plant growth parameters of Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) proved that the plants treated with vermicompost had similar results as those treated with cow manure. The values of almost all the soil parameters, except for Mn and Fe concentration did increase slightly after the application of vermicompost even after harvesting the crop, resulting in the improvement of the physical structure of the soil.