Abstract

The present study was conducted to find the effect of vermicompost application on yield and some other parameters of cabbage under highly weathered soils of Uganda.   Five rates of vermicomposte (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t/ha) were applied on cabbage, planted in plots and arranged in RCBD during three seasons with three replications each. Plant height, number of leaves and leaf size were measured during the vegetative growth and at harvest head widht, length, and weight were measured. Soil samples were collected before planting and at harvest to estimate physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. All data were subjected to analysis of variance; mean comparison, principlal component and correlations analyses. The growth rate and yield of cabbage were proportional to the amount of vermicompost applied. Soil pH, K+, EC, organic matter, available P, total nitrogen, Zn, Mn, Cu and the population of soil bacterial, actinomycetes and fungi were inproved by vermicompost application. Addition of vermicompost increased soil’s microbial content, resulting in an acceleration of cabbage head maturation and increase in its productivity. In the present studies vermicompost was observed to contribute significantly in improving cabbage earliness and yield in Uganda.

Key words: soil physico-chemical properties, Soil microbial community; yield; Vermicompost.