Response of hybrid eggplant to vermicompost and vermitea at different levels of inorganic fertilizers

The Spiraling cost of inorganic fertilizers prompted the need to look for alternative sources of plant nutrients like vermicompost and vermitea. The concept of the study was to combine the inorganic fertilizer with vermicompost and vermitea and gradually reducing the amount of inorganic fertilizers without significantly reducing the yield. The objectives of the study were to determine the response of hybrid eggplant to vermicompost and vermitea, test the hypothesis that the application of vermicompost and vermitea can reduce the amount of inorganic fertilizers needed by plants and to determine the best level combination between the inorganic fertilizers, vermicompost and vermitea. The treatments were as follows: T1- 120-60-60 kg N-P205-K20 1500 kg vermicompost + 10 liters vermitea/ha, T3- 90-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha, T2- 120-60-60 kg N-P205-K20 /ha, T4-90-60-60 kg N-P205-K20+1500 kg vermicompost + 10 liters vermitea /ha, T3- 60-60-60 kg N-P205-K20 /ha and T6-60-60-60 kg N-P205-K20+1500 kg vermicompost + 10 liters vermitea /ha. The study was laid in RCBD with three replicates conducted at the experimental field of the College of Agriculture, ISU, Echague, Isabela from August 26-December 26, 2010. The results revealed that plant heights at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting, number of branches per plant, number of marketable and non-marketable fruits, diameter of fruits, fresh weight of marketable fruits per plant and per sampling area were significantly increased by the application of vermicompost and vermitea except in the number of non-marketable fruits due to insect damage by fruit borer. The best treatment identified using the economic analysis revealed that treatment 4 applied with 90-60-60 kg N-P205-K20+1500 kg vermicompost + 10 liters vermitea per hectare gave the best yield of 42.40 tons per hectare with a net income of P463,814 in four months hence, this treatment is recommended.