The impact of vermicompost application on the yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) observed in selected phenological growth stages (BBCH-SCALE)

Abstract

DOI: 10.15414/afz.2014.17.04.100–108

Received 30. April 2014 ǀ Accepted 7. July 2014 ǀ Available online 24. November 2014

The impact of vermicompost application was assessed in a pot experiment carried out in a vegetation cage located in the area of the SUA in Nitra. The model crop was grain maize. Treatment 1 was a non-fertilized treatment. In treatments 2 and 3, vermicompost was applied in autumn at the same dose of 170 kg.ha-1 N. In treatments 4 and 5, vermicompost was applied in spring at the same dose of 170 kg.ha-1 N. In treatments 3 and 5, nitrogen was applied as the fertilizer LAD at dose of 60 kg.ha-1 N. The highest yield parameters were found in treatment where vermicompost was applied in spring with the addition of the LAD. In the treatments, in which industrial nitrogen was added, yield parameters were affected significantly more positively than in the treatments where only vermicompost wasapplied. Spring application affected yield parameters significantly more positively than the autumn application. The highest N content in the phytomass was found in the same treatment, where was found highest yield parameters of plants. The addition of the fertilizer LAD had a depressing effect on the P and K content in phytomass. The autumn application of only vermicompost influenced the P and K content more positively than the spring application. The addition of the LAD fertilizer had a positive effect on the Ca content.

Keywords: vermicompost, maize, total chlorophyll, phytomass, macro-elements, phenological growth stages BBCH-scale