Effect of three types of growing media and vermicompost tea on the growth and individual weight of Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey).

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of growing media and vermicompost tea on the growth and yield of Chinese kale under pot conditions. Consequently, the experiment of the present study included six treatments, including a control treatment. The results showed that mixing cow manure and vermicompost with growing media and vermicompost tea application had significant positive effects on plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and individual weight of Chinese kale plants. The highest plant height, the number of leaves, and individual weight were seen in the T6 treatment [growing media 3 (the mixture of 50% soil, 20% cocopeat, and 30% vermicompost) + vermicompost tea application], but T2 treatment [growing media 2 (the mixture of 50% soil, 20% cocopeat, and 30% cow manure) + no vermicompost tea application] had the highest stem diameter. Noticeably, vermicompost tea application increased the individual weight of the plants in the T4 treatment (growing media of 100% soil + vermicompost tea application) by 119.9%, compared to the control (growing media of 100% soil + no vermicompost tea application). The findings demonstrated that vermicompost tea may have great potential for use as a foliar fertilizer for leaf vegetables to promote growth in plant height and weight.