Pest Occurrence and Performance of Lettuce as Affected by the Vermicompost with Different Leguminous Crops as Nitrogen Source

Abstract

A two-cropping study was conducted at the Organic Agriculture Project of Capiz State University, Burias Campus, Mambusao, Capiz to determine the effect of vermicompost with different leguminous crops as nitrogen source on the pest occurrence and performance of lettuce. The study 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 (June-July) and A2- second cropping (September-October). Factor B was the vermicompost with different leguminous crops as N source which comprised of B1 – Azolla, B2 – Trichanthera, B3 – Kakawate, and B4 – Mixed (Azolla, Trichanthera, and Kakawate). All the data gathered were subjected to the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using STAR software. Differences among treatment means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result of the study revealed that application of vermicompost with different leguminous crops as Nitrogen source were comparable in all growth and yield parameters of lettuce. However, cropping seasons significantly affected the number of leaves, length of leaves, width of leaves, weight of roots, length of roots, biomass, and weight of marketable part of lettuce. Lettuce grown and harvested in the first cropping which falls to the months of June-July had the most number of leaves, longer leaves, wider leaves, heavier biomass, and heavier marketable part. On the other hand, heavier and longer roots was recorded from lettuce grown and harvested in the months of September-October (second cropping). The total number of insect pests which infested the lettuce plants was not affected by the application of vermicompost with different leguminous crops as nitrogen source for two cropping seasons. Lettuce applied with vermicompost with trichanthera as N source gave the highest net profit (Php 1,737.50), and those lettuce applied with vermicompost with azolla as nitrogen source gave the lowest net profit amounting of Php 1,339.50.