The effect of different levels of vermicompost on morphological traits and yield components of mallow (Malva silvestris L.)

Subject Areas : Agroecology Journal

Hassan Nourafcan ¹ , Mahtab Pouyanfar ² , Zahra Mahmoudirad ³

1 - Department of Horticulture College of Agriculture Miyaneh Branch Islamic Azad University Miyaneh, Iran
2 - Department of Horticulture College of Agriculture Miyaneh Branch Islamic Azad University Miyaneh, Iran
3 - Department of Horticulture College of Agriculture Miyaneh Branch Islamic Azad University Miyaneh, Iran

Received: 2015-05-04 Accepted : 2015-11-14 Published : 2015-11-22

Keywords: o growth index, o growth medium, o nutrients, o organic culture, o organic fertilizers,

Abstract :

Mallow (Malva silvestris L.) is a valuable medicinal plant which its flower and leaf are mentioned in many pharmacopoeias as drugs with therapeutic properties. The study was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications to evaluate the effect vermicompost different rates on morphological characteristics and yield components of mallow in pot conditions in 2014. Treatments were five rates of vermicompost (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg). In most of traits such as crown diameter, petiole fresh and dry weight, the root spread width, leaf number, canopy diameter, petiole length, plant dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, leaf width and length vermicompost 15 g/kg showed the greatest increment. However, application of vermicompost in 20 g/kg had better effect on leaf fresh weight. In plant fresh weight, vermicompost 15 and 20 g/kg had better effect. Vermicompost positive effect might be due to the structural characteristics and the presence of nutrients which could improve soil physicochemical properties and a positive effect on mallow growth. Using of sole bio-fertilizers or in combination with chemical fertilizers could have positive effect in medicinal plants cultivation.