Effects of Vermicompost on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> Var. <i>Crispa</i>) Yield in Greenhouse under Different Soil Water Regimes

Abstract

This study mainly focused on the impacts of vermicompost (VC) treatments on physicochemical characteristics of sandy-clay-loam soil and lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) yield in a greenhouse under different soil moisture regimes. Pot experiments were conducted with different VC treatment doses (0%, 2.5%, and 5% w/w) and three soil water regimes (100%, 50%, and 25%Ɵf, Ɵf is field capacity). Following the harvest, soil samples were taken and analyzed for physicochemical properties. The highest organic matter content (2.19%) was observed in 5% VC treatment of the full irrigation level (100%Ɵf) irrigation treatment and the lowest organic matter content (0.19%) was obtained from the control treatment of the lowest irrigation level (25%Ɵf). Soil physical properties were positively influenced by VC treatments under different irrigation regimes. The highest lettuce yield (178.7 g plant−1) was observed in 5% VC treatment of the full irrigation level (100%Ɵf) irrigation treatment and the lowest lettuce yield (94.0 g plant−1) was obtained from the control treatment of the lowest irrigation level (25%Ɵf). Present findings revealed that vermicompost treatments under different irrigation regimes could reliably be used to enhance soil physicochemical properties and lettuce yield.