The effect of different compost materials on the growth and yield of potted pechay

Abstract

The study was conducted from December 8, 2007 to January 16, 2008 at the vacant space at the back of the College of Agriculture, Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of the different compost materials on the growth and yield of potted pechay. The experimental treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments consisted of compost made from cogon grass, hagonoy shoots, rice straw and sugarcane leaves, commercial compost, inorganic fertilizer and; the control (no fertilizer). Results of the study revealed that the periodic number of leaves plant height, and length of leaves were significantly influenced by the different fertilizers applied except data taken at two weeks after thinning (WAT). The final data recorded on the fourth week after thinning showed that plants fertilized with inorganic fertilizer had consistently produced the most number of leaves, the tallest and the longest leaf measurement. Statistical analysis showed that those plants treated with inorganic fertilizer had the most number of marketable plants and were significantly comparable to those plants fertilized with hagonoy. The highest yield of 11,350.00 kg/ha was obtained from plants applied with inorganic fertilizer. The lowest yields were obtained from plants fertilized with commercial compost, cogon and sugarcane leaves. These yields are below the reported average production of pechay.