Plant-based vermicompost can help improve the growth and crop performance of hot pepper and other organically grown test crops, according to on-station and on-farm trials of the study conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
In 2019, UPLB research team conducted a study to validate the technical and financial viability of upscaling locally-developed and Philippine National Standards-compliant organic soil amendments for improved organic vegetable production systems.
Through the research project funded by DA-BAR, the research team led by UPLB- Organic Agriculture program leader Dr. Blesilda M. Calub confirmed the potential of plant-based organic soil amendments over merely relying on animal manures as raw materials.
The study revealed that damping-off can be prevented through the application of the said plant-based vermicompost during the seedling stage of the crops. It was also observed that the harvesting period of hot pepper was prolonged by 3-4 times compared to the same crop grown using conventional farming.
“In general, we have confirmed that the use of plant-based vermicompost, whether singly or mixed with other organic soil amendments, really improves the growth and performance of various crops including hot pepper,” Dr. Calub said.
She added that the said soil amendment can benefit farmers by leaving residues in the soil which become available for the next planted crop.
Dr. Calub also warned against the use of animal manure from conventional farms as it contains heavy metals and residues of antibiotics, synthetic steroids, and growth hormones. These residues when applied as raw or processed fertilizers to the soil can be absorbed by crops based on studies.
“Most organic fertilizers and compost or soil conditioners make use of animal manures and crop residues. However, there are issues to be resolved in terms of using raw animal manures from non-organic or conventional farms,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, a plant-based liquid supplement and microbial inoculant are being tested. These research-based products shall enable farmers to scale up the volume, availability, and value of their organic produce resulting in an increased income.
“When made commercially available to consumers, these three products will significantly contribute to improve productivity of organic farms resulting in a more reliable year-round harvest of better-quality organic products that farmers can sell at better prices and with assured supply and quality,” Dr. Calub said.