Effects of Types of Vermiwash on Wheat Growth Indices, Yield and Zinc, Iron and Phosphorus Uptake in Wheat Grain

RAHMATPOUR, SAMANEH; ALIKHANI, HASAN ALI; MIR SEYED HOSEINI, SEYRD HOSEIN

doi:10.22059/ijswr.2013.50065

Effects of Types of Vermiwash on Wheat Growth Indices, Yield and Zinc, Iron and Phosphorus Uptake in Wheat Grain

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

SAMANEH RAHMATPOUR ¹

HASAN ALI ALIKHANI ²

SEYRD HOSEIN MIR SEYED HOSEINI ³

¹ Postgraduate student, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran

² Associate Professor, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/ijswr.2013.50065

Abstract

The effect of different preparation methods of vermiwash on certain wheat traits, namely: yield, growth indices as well as Fe, Zn and P uptake, as regards wheat grain was evaluated. A greenhouse experiment was conducted within the framework of factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) of four replicates. The treatments included 1) vermiwash (15 levels) and 2) consumption methods (two levels, sterile vs. nonsterile media). Vermiwash was prepared using three types of substrate, namely, 1-mature Vermicompost (V) 2- Immature Vermicompost (IV) 3- Composter Worm (CW). Aqueous extracts of VC and earthworm were obtained using high-purity water (pH 9, 5.0 and 7.0), DTPA fully concentrated vs. 1/3 concentration. Vermiwash was applied as spray on plants. Results indicated that vermiwash application increased seed yield, hundred seed weight, number of seeds in panicle, plant height and shoot dry weight in comparison with control. Vermiwash obtained from mature vermicompost, and from immature vermicompost when extracted through DTPA exerted the most effect on shoot dry weight, seed yield and on hundred seed weights. Sterilization didnot significantly affect yield and growth indices; it just caused significant increase in seed yield. Application of vermiwash increased Fe and Zn uptake (in grain) as compared with control.

Keywords

DTPA

earthworm

foliar feeding

Vermiwash

Wheat