Abstract:

Vermicompost is one of the products produced in the process of using earthworm to biologically study, effect of vermicompost substrate formulated with different nitrogen dosages on seedling development in capsicum were systematically investigated, with an aim to understand the role of vermicompost in raising strong seedling in greenhouse vegetable production. Results were showed as following. The capsicum seedlings developed in F1 had the highest leaf expandedness, plant height leaf number and fresh and dry weight of whole seedling plant, leaf and stem in all seedling development stages. Plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of whole plant, fresh weight of root, stem and leaf, of the capsicum seedling in F2 was higher than those of the seedlings in F3 and CK. Data of strong seedling index, root/shoot ratio and growth function also indicated that F1 and F2 was more promising in raising strong capsicum seedlings, compared to CK. The capsicum seedlings raised in F1 and F2 had higher chlorophyll content in early stage, while those in F3 had higher chlorophyll content in late stage. In early and middle stage, root length, surface area, diameter and volume of capsicum seedlings raised in F2 were higher than those in F1 and F3. Over-rated nitrogen addition decreased the survival rate of capsicum seedlings. Based on this study, we can conclude that: Fresh vermicompost mixed with vermiculite (4:1, v:v) and suitable amount of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) could be used as substrate in nursery bed to raise capsicum seedlings and its promotive effect on seedling growth was better than the commercial substrate which is usually made from chicken feces and peat.. The optimum amount of urea added to vermicompost substrate for capsicum seedling development was 0.5-1.0 kg/ m3.