Efficacy of the different levels of vermipellets on the growth of pechay (Brassica pekinensis L.)

The study determined the effects of the different levels of vermipellets on the growth of Pechay (Brassica pekinensis Linn.). Six parameters were used to access the response of Pechay on the different levels of vermipellets added in the potting media such as percent survival, height, green weight, number of leaves, leaf area, root length and ovendry plant biomass. The study also determined which level of vermipellet would give the best growth of potted Pechay (Brassica pekinensis Linn.). The study was laid out in a Completely Randomized Designed (CRD) with five treatments and three replications per treatment. Each treatment had twelve plants, which had a total of sixty plants. The different treatments were, 4 grams of vermipellet, 1kg san (T1), 6 grams of vermipellet, 1 kg sand (T2), 8 grams of vermipellet, 1kg sand (T3), 10 grams of vermipellet, 1kg sand (T4), No vermipellet, Pure sand (T5). The parameters measured in the study were subjective to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine the effects of different levels of vermipellet on the growth performance of Pechay (Brassica pekinensis Linn.).; the Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to test the significant differences among the treatment means. The statistical analysis of data collected from the study using the potted Pechay grown in different levels of vermipellet revealed significant differences in height, plant green weight, number of leaves, leaf area and ovendry bioimass. Only root length and plant percent survival were not affected by the applied vermipellet. Results of the statistical analysis of data on plant height of Pechay showed effect of vermipellet on the potting media (Table 1). Comparison between treatment means revealed that the shortest height of Pechay was attained in those grown with pure sand with no vermipellet (T5) with 12.77 cm. The highest height was achieved by Treatment 2 (6 g of vermipellet and 1 kg sand) with 17.38 cm. The number of leaves of Pechay was improved as a result of the treatment. Those grown in potting medium with vermipellet had a higher number of leaves. Treatment 3 gave the highest number of leaves. In this research, it was found out that treatment 2 yielded better ovendry biomass, plant green weight, 100% plant survival and plant height. The result of the study has shown a good survival of Pechay which is between 83.33% and 100% (Table 1) within two-month duration of all the treatments. The lowest survival rate was observed in T4 (83.33%) while the highest rate was recorded in T1, T2 and T3 (100%). Leaf area of Pechay was affected by the vermipellet added to the potting media. There was a great improvement in the leaf of Pechay when applied with vermipellet. The added vermipellet gave higher leaf area over the treatment with no vermipellet. Treatment 3 had the highest leaf area of 40.62 cm 2 as compared to those grown in pure sand only. Other treatments resulted also to improved leaf area. Finally the different amount of vermipellet applied to Pechay improved its growth but the best growth was attained using 6 g of vermipellet and 1kg sand (T2).