Effects of Vermicompost on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn in Bukidnon, Philippines

Aims: To determine the influence of fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweet corn grown under Bukidnon, Philippines condition.

Place and Duration of Study: Research Station of IPB-UPLB, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines on February 2016 to May 2016.

Methodology: Soil samples were taken from the site for initial characterization. Six treatments were employed; T1- no fertilizer,T2- Recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (RRIF) based on soil analysis of the experimental area (70 – 50 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1), T3- 2 tons ha-1 Vermicompost, T4- ½ RRIF (35 – 25 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) + 1 ton ha-1 Vermicompost, T5- ½ RRIF (35 – 25 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) + 2 tons ha-1 Vermicompost and T6- RRIF (70 – 50 – 0 N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) + 1 ton Vermicompost. Harvesting proceeded at 70 days after sowing (DAS).

Results: The application of Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1 significantly influenced the plant height of sweet corn at 20 DAS. Soil’s negative logarithm of hydrogen ions present or pH was greatly affected by the application of inorganic fertilizer alone. Moreover, the application of ½ RRIF + 2 tons of Vermicompost ha-1 caused significant effects towards the organic matter content (%) of the soil at harvest. On the other hand, the yield of sweet corn measured by the number of ears expressed in per hectare basis shows to be highly affected by the application of Full RRIF along with 1 ton Vermicompost ha-1.

Conclusion: The combined application of the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer and Vermicompost are possible ways that may be undertaken in order to yield sweet corn in higher portion under Bukidnon condition as well as maintaining the quality of the soil of Bukidnon, Philippines.