USE OF VERMICOMPOST TO IMPROVE SOIL PROPERTIES AND SPINACH GROWTH IN THE SOIL AFFECTED BY WIND EROSION

Limited nutrient availability and poor soil structure are the major constraints to plant production in the calcareous soils affected by wind erosion. Short-term (90 days) incubation study was carried out to evaluate the impacts of vermicompost on improving crop yield and soil properties in the calcareous soil exposed to wind erosion. Vermicompost was applied at the rate of 0, 1, 2 and 4% (w/w). Significant (P˂0.05) differences in the selected physico-chemical properties were observed when the treatments with vermicompost and no vermicompost were compared; except for soil pH and lime content. Soil properties were improved substantially in parallel with the application rates. When compared to the control, vermicompost application significantly increased the yield, fresh leaf biomass (FLB), fresh root biomass (FRB), dry leaf biomass (DLB), dry root biomass (DRB), leaf number (LN) and leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) values of the spinach plant grown under greenhouse conditions. Conclusively, applying vermicompost improves soil properties and crop performance; however, field study is recommended in order to validate the findings of this study prior to adopting vermicompost as soil management practices in the calcareous soils exposed to wind erosion.