Vermicompost and Eisenia Foetida as Factors Influencing the Formation of Radish Phytomass

Abstract

Abstract Many of the world’s findings indicate the positive effect of earthworms on soil parameters, and consequently, on the formation of phytomass of cultivated plants. In our experiment we studied: A) the influence of soil itself, soil mixed with vermicompost in a ratio of 9:1; B) the influence of earthworms number (genus Eisenia foetida, 10 and 20 individuals per pot) supplied to soil mixed with vermicompost in the ratio of 9:1 on the dynamics of changes in the weight of radish roots, the total chlorophyll content in leaves and the selected qualitative parameters of the roots. The results obtained showed that one tenth proportion of vermicompost from the total weight of soil substrate caused the statistically significant increase in the total chlorophyll content in leaves, the increase in yield of radish roots, the reduction of the vitamin C content and the increase of nitrate content in the roots. The impact of earthworms on the chlorophyll content in leaves and on the root weight was negative. The addition of 10 individuals of earthworms into 20 kg of substrate (soil + vermicompost) resulted in the increased content of vitamin C and the decreased content of nitrates in the radish roots. Twenty earthworms added to vermicompost, compared to vermicompost alone, did not affect the vitamin C content and reduced the nitrate content.