Assessment of Compost Extract on Yield and Phytochemical Contents of Pak Choi (<i>Brassica rapa</i>cv.<i>chinensis</i>) Grown under Different Fertilizer Strategies

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different extraction of compost extracts on pak choi (Brassica rapa cv. chinensis) under two fertilizer regimes. Aerated compost extract (ACE) and non-aerated compost extract (NCE) were prepared and all treatments (ACE + organic fertilizer, NCE + organic fertilizer, ACE + inorganic fertilizer, NCE + inorganic fertilizer) were conducted in randomized block design. Soil microbiological analysis after treatment was done. Plants grown with ACE + inorganic fertilizers yielded maximum in fresh, dry weight, and N mineral content compared to others. Plants receiving NCE + organic fertilizers produced a higher phenolic content, whereas antioxidant capacity was observed maximum at NCE + inorganic fertilizers. Soil microbiological analysis significantly increased in yeast and nitrogen fixing bacteria count at ACE + organic fertilizers. The co-application of inorganic fertilizers and compost extract had a significant effect on vegetative growth, quality of the pak choi, and soil fertility.