Effect of Vermicompost with Different Leguminous Crops as Nitrogen Source on the Pest Occurrence and Performance of Carrots (Daucus carota)

Abstract

This study conducted to evaluate the effect of vermicompost with different leguminous crops as nitrogen source on the pest occurrence and performance of carrots. It was conducted at the Organic Agriculture Project of Capiz State University, Burias Campus, Mambusao, Capiz. A two-cropping study which was laid out in 2×4 factorial experiment using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Factor A was the cropping seasons such as A1- first cropping (January- March) and A2- second cropping (August-October). Factor B was the vermicompost using different leguminous crops as N source which comprised of B1 – Azolla, B2 – Trichantera, B3 – Kakawate, and B4 – Mixed (Azolla, Trichantera, and Kakawate). The data gathered were analyzed using STAR software and LSD test for mean comparisons. The result of the study revealed that vermicompost from different leguminous crops as nitrogen source manifested a comparable responses in all growth and yield parameters of carrots. The study revealed that cropping seasons significantly affected the plant height, number of leaves, length of tuber, diameter of tuber, biomass, and weight of marketable part and non-marketable part. Carrots grown and harvested in the first cropping which falls on January to March had the most number of leaves, length of tuber, diameter of tuber, biomass, and weight of marketable part. While those carrots grown and harvested in the months of August to October (second cropping) produced the tallest plant and increased the non-marketable part. Cropping seasons which fall in the months of January to March is convenient in growing carrots. Carrots applied with vermicompost produced with mixed azolla, tricanthera and kakawate gave the highest net profit with total amount of (Php 1495.70).