Influence of Different Rates of Formulated Organic Biological Wastes on Some Soil Properties, Growth and Yield of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea)

Abstract

Different rates of 1:4:4 ratio of formulated organic biological wastes (OBW) using 5 tons ha-1 dry chicken manure, 20 tons ha-1 fresh wild sunflower and 20 tons ha-1 vermicompost respectively was conducted at the certified Organic Demo Farm of the Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet from November 2011 to March 2012. The study aimed to determine: 1) the influence of formulated organic biological wastes on some soil properties; 2) the best rate of formulated organic biological wastes on the growth and yield of broccoli; and, 3) the best rate of the formulated OBW that is comparable to the recommended inorganic fertilizer suited for broccoli production. Soil properties like Db, WHC, pH, SOM, total N, available P, exchangeable K and CEC were improved with increasing rates of the formulated OBW as source of organic fertilizer for the growth and yield of broccoli. The best rate of the 20 tons ha-1 formulated OBW was comparable to the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer in terms of growth and yield of broccoli.