Abstract

ASCIUTTO, K et al. Effect of vermicompost on the growth and health of Impatiens wallerana. Phyton (B. Aires) [online]. 2006, vol.75, pp.115-123. ISSN 1851-5657.

Rhizoctonia solani damping-off and root rot diseases are frequent in impatiens crops in Buenos Aires. Their control is based in fungicide use. In a sustainable nursery production, beneficial microorganisms that develop in organic amendments may suppress diseases and promote plant growth. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different proportions of vermicompost on the growth and health of patience-plant (Impatiens wallerana). The experiment was carried out in a polyethylene greenhouse. Treatments were defined as follows: infested substrate, substrate, sterilized substrate, vermicompost, and vermicompost mixed with infested substrate at 75, 50 and 25% by volume. Seeds of I. wallerana were sown in plugs containing the different substrates. Percentage of healthy seedlings was evaluated since emergence, and growth parameters were recorded at day 51. The concentration of pathogen in the different treatments was estimated at the beginning and end of the experiment. Treatments with 100-75% of vermicompost showed important increases of leaf area, plant height and fresh and dry weight of aerial and subterranean organs. Root length was not modified by compost addition. Vermicompost at 75% provided slight control of damping-off caused by R. solani.

Keywords : Vermicompost; Growth; Damping-off; Impatiens wallerana.

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