Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to determine the effects of Bio-charcoal and Organic Fertilizer on the Growth of Mini Chinese Kale The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a 4x3 factorial arrangement.
Factor A was growing medium: soil, 10:2 soil:rambutan charcoal (v/v)10:1 soil:Eucalyptus charcoal (v/v), and 10:2 soil:rice-husk charcoal (v/v). Factor B was fertilizer:46:0:0, vermicast, and commercial bio-extract. Fertilizer applications began one week after
transplanting (WAT). Plants were harvested at three WAT. Physical and chemical properties of the growing media were measured before transplanting and after harvesting. Leaf number, stem diameter, and plant height were measured weekly. Fresh and dry weights were also determined.
Results showed that, 10:2 soil:rambutan charcoal and 10:2 soil:rice-husk charcoal increased plant growth (20.43 and 19.73 cm in height, 6.17 and 5.85 leaves, 3.69 and 3.87 mm in stem diameter, respectively). Moreover, Chinese kale grown in 10:2 soil:rambutan charcoal and applied with chemical fertilizer had the tallest plants (24.29 cm). Vermicast (18.04 cm) resulted in taller plants
compared to commercial bio-extract (17.34 cm).
Keywords:vermicast, rambutan charcoal rice-husk charcoal, Eucalyptus charcoal Bio-charcoal
INTRODUCTION
In the agriculture sector, heavy application of fertilizers has polluted surface and
groundwater resources. There is an urgent need to find means to reduce pollution. Presently,
organic-based agricultural production is a rapidly emerging technology, which partly reduces
waste disposal problems through conversion of biodegradable wastes into organic compost. This
ensures the availability of organic fertilizer for crop production. In addition, organic – based
vegetable production provides unique opportunities for producing high quality vegetables
because of reduced chemical application at any given time of the year. It also contributes to
rehabilitating and sustaining the fertility of our croplands that have been degraded or are in
danger of degradation due to intensive crop production and improper soil management practices
(dela Cruz et al., 2008 [11])