Effects of Different application rates of Vermicompost and Biofertilizer on growth, yield and quality of Beetroot( Beta vulgaris var. crassa L.)

Abstract

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. crassa L.) is gaining prominence in Kenya because of its high nutritive and medicinal value. ln order to obtain high yields and good quality beetroot, it is asential to provide soils with high organic matter and nutrients supply throughout the growing season. ln trying to address some of these challenges, a study was conducted in the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University to determine the effects of different application rates of vermicompost and biofertilizer on growth, yield and quality of beetroot. The research was conducted over a span of two growing seasons as an unbalanced factorial experiment i.n a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Two organic fertilizer types (vermicompost and biofertilizer) were studied each at four different application rates (5, 10, 20 and 3Ot./ha) and two controls; one with no fertilizer applied (negative control) and the other with inorganic fertilizer NPK (17:17:17) applied at the recommended rate of 60kg/ha (positive control).The variables studied were plant height, number of leaves, Leaf Area Index (LAI), fresh and dry root weight, fresh and dry leaf weight, total plant biomass, harvest index, brix content, tiuatable acidity, sugar/acid ratio, soil pl-1, leaf and root N, P, K, Ca and Fe content. The data were analyzed using SAS version 9 and means separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant difference test at P5 0.05. Results showed that the use of vermicompost and biofertilizer at 30tonnes/hectare improved beetroot growth measured in leaf number, leaf area index and plant height; yield measured in root and leaf weight, total plant biomass and harvest index and quality measured in brix content compared with no fertilizer application and were comparable with the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate. Findings of this study indicate potential of usi.ng of vermicompost and biofertilizer to improve beetroot production, methods that principally provide for the use of sustainable and environmentally sound waste management systems to recycle crop nutrients