Yield and nitrogen uptake of lettuce (lactuca sativa l.) as influenced by different rates of vermicast grown in sandy soil

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the different rates of vemicast on the yield and N uptake of lettuce grown in sandy soil (1) and to determine the best rate of vermicast on the yield and N uptake of lettuce grown in sandy soil (2). Lettuce grown in sandy soil incorporated with vermicast was more vigorous than control especially plants treated with the highest level of vermicast which is 7.5 g/kg soil while control plants have yellowish leaves. Treatments with lower rates of vermicast (5.0 and 2.5 g/kg soil) as well as the control were not successful in developing head of lettuce while the highest rate of vermicast (7.5 g/kg soil) clearly produced head. Incorporating 7.5 g vermicast/kg soil obtained the heaviest fresh weight and total dry matter yield of 88.20 g/plant and 7.86 g/plant respectively. Moreover, application of vermicast regardless of varying rates evidently improved sandy soil pH.

Keywords

• nitrogen uptake
• lettuce
• sandy soil

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