The effects of vermicompost and Azomite on growth parameters, biochemical traits and absorption of nutrients in summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

Subject Areas : Genetic

Rasoul Narimani ¹ , Mohammad Moghaddam ² , Hassan Ebrahimi ³ , Danial Shokouhi ⁴

1 - Department of Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2 - Department of Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 - Department of Earth Science, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Company of Cavendish, Neyshabur, Iran
4 - Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Received: 2019-04-09 Accepted : 2019-07-01 Published : 2019-12-22

Keywords: Photosynthetic pigments, Organic Fertilizer, nutrients, Growth Indicators, antioxidant activity,

Abstract :

Vermicompost as a bio-fertilizer increases plant yield and improves its growth traits through improving the physicochemical properties of the soil and enhancement of nutrients absorption by plants. Azomite also improves plant yield and growth traits through exhaustive range of beneficial elements. In order to investigate effects of different levels of vermicompost and Azomite application on growth and some qualitative characteristics and mineral absorption of summer savory, a pot factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications and two factors, namely vermicompost and Azomite in four levels (0, 5, 10, and 15%) and (0, 3, 6, and 9 g/kg soil), respectively in the research greenhouse of Agriculture Faculty,  Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2018. The traits under investigation included plant height, plant fresh and dry weight, number of branches, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and soluble carbohydrates content, as well as absorption of nutrients. Results showed that application 10% and 15% vermicompost combined with 3 grams of Azomite per kg of soil increased significantly plant growth parameters such as leaf and stem fresh and dry weight, internode length, and stem diameter as well as biochemical traits such as relative water content, soluble sugar content, and photosynthetic pigments compared to control plants (non-application of vermicompost and Azomite). The interaction between vermicompost and Azomite had a significant effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, and manganese concentrations. The use of vermicompost (levels 10% and 15%) with Azomite (at all three levels) significantly increased the concentration of these elements compared to the control treatment. It was also observed that the use of vermicompost as alone caused a significant increase in potassium and magnesium in plants compared with non-fertilized treatment. In general, the results of this experiment showed that using vermicompost and Azomite mineral fertilizer can improve quantitative and qualitative traits and absorption of nutrients in summer savory.  

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