Effect of Different Rates of Fresh Azolla as a Supplemental Green Manure on Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) Yield and Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Organic Demo farm area, Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet from October 2014 to March 2015 to determine: the effect of different rates of fresh azolla as a supplemental green manure on the yield of Chinese cabbage; the effect of different rates of fresh azolla as a supplemental green manure on some soil physico-chemical properties; and the economics of fresh azolla as a supplemental green manure on Chinese cabbage production. Application of 50 tons/ha of fresh azolla as a supplemental green manure gave the highest total yield of Chinese cabbage. Similarly, application of different rates of azolla improved the soil physical properties like bulk density and water holding capacity of the soil. In addition, the chemical properties of the soil like pH, OM, organic N, available P and exchangeable K content of the soil were enhanced by the different rates of fresh azolla as a supplemental green manure to soils treated initially with vermicompost. No application of azolla (control) registered the highest return on cash expenses due to its lower production cost because azolla was bought from the source.