Influence of Different Rates of Vermicompost on Celery (Apium graveolens) Yield and on Some Soil Properties

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Organic Farm Benguet State University (BSU) in Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet from December 2014 to March 2015 to determine: (1) the best rate of vermicompost on the yield of celery; (2) the influence of vermicompost on some soil properties; and, (3) the economic value of vermicompost on celery production. Results show that as the rates of vermicompost increase, the yield of celery also significantly increased. The best rate however, is the application of 20 tons/ha of vermicompost for celery production. On the other hand, no significant differences were observed on the bulk density and the soil pH of the soil. On the contrary, rates of vermicompost significantly increased some soil properties like the water holding capacity, OM, organic N, available P and exchangeable K content of the soil. Among the different rates applied, 20 tons/ha of vermicompost is the most economical.