Effects of Vermicompost on the Growth and Antioxidant Property of Grand Rapid Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Abstract

Vermicompost as organic fertilizer is unpopular among farmers in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City. Thus, introduction of organic farming to majority of the farmers and vegetable growers needs to be strengthened. Taking this into consideration, this study was conducted to determine the effect of vermicompost as organic fertilizer on lettuce focusing on growth, yield, antioxidant property as well as incidence of insect pests and diseases. The study utilized Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Crops were established by directly sowing the seeds to the pots with fertilizer and control treatments. Fourteen (14) days after sowing (DAS), all lettuce grown with vermicompost had significantly higher germination percentage compared to plants grown under control and chemical fertilizers. The leaves of lettuce grown with vermicompost were longer and wider during the four (4) weeks while those that were chemically fertilized outperformed organically grown plants on its fifth week until reap. The distinction became critical only during its 6th week. As a result, plants treated with chemicals had significantly heavier weight resulting to significant higher yield compared to those grown under organic fertilizer and control treatments. However, in terms of antioxidant property of lettuce particularly vitamin C, plants applied with vermicompost had significantly higher antioxidant content contrasted with plants treated with chemical fertilizer. Moreover, on pest and disease damage, plants were not significantly affected by the kinds of fertilizer utilized while the occurrence of diseases and pest infestation were found low in all treatments. Considering these outcomes, organic production of lettuce using vermicompost is recommended. Further experiment utilizing various doses of vermicompost in mix with biofertilizers using different varieties of lettuce is likewise proposed.