EVALUATION OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON SELECTED HIGHLAND VEGETABLES

Published by admin on December 20, 2018December 20, 2018

Divina C. Jose

ABSTRACT

The project was conducted in BPI-Buguias Seedfarm and BPI-Baguio experimental farm from December 2013 to March 2016 to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers and mulching materials on selected highland vegetables; identify the best or appropriate organic fertilizer and mulching material; determine their effects on the soil; and compare the profitability of using organic fertilizers and mulching materials for selected highland vegetables.

On organic fertilizers, chicken manure (4, 5 and 6 tons/ha), mushroom compost (6, 8 and 10 tons/ha), horse manure (6, 8 and 10 tons/ha) and vermicompost (8, 10 and 12 tons/ha) were applied on lettuce, broccoli and carrot, respectively, one week before transplanting/sowing. The application of chicken manure on the test crops enhanced the production of heaviest lettuce heads, broccoli curds and taproots of carrot, respectively, resulting in highest marketable yield. Its application also enhanced earliest harvest at 52 days and widest leaves on lettuce leading to widest plant canopy. This was followed by the application of mushroom compost. Control plants were latest to mature or harvest on lettuce; produced the lowest weight of lettuce heads, broccoli curds and taproots resulting in lowest marketable yield of the test crops. Meanwhile, all treatment plots decreased in pH in Baguio as well as phosphorus in both locations. Moreover, most plots planted to broccoli and carrot decreased in potassium but increased in plots planted to lettuce.

The application of chicken manure on lettuce, broccoli and carrot noted the highest return on investment of 152.19, 179.42 and 148.92 %, respectively followed by the application of mushroom compost on lettuce and broccoli, and application of horse manure on carrot.