EFFECTS OF ZINC AND VERMICOMPOST ON THE GROWTH OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX L.)

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc and
vermicompost on the growth, yield and nutrient content of soybean (Glycine max
L.) plant. The treatment variables were control (‒Zn and ‒VC), VC 5 ton/ha, Zn 1
kg/ha, Zn 2 kg/ha, Zn 3 kg/ha, Zn 1 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha, Zn 2 kg/ha + VC 5
ton/ha and Zn 3 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha. Application of zinc and vermicompost
showed a significant effect on the growth parameters and macro- and
micronutrients uptake by the plant. The highest average plant height (164 cm),
leaf number (80 nos./plant), leaf area (3360 cm2/plant), fresh weight (49.03
gm/plant), dry weight (24.54 gm/plant), fruit length (9.4 cm), fruit number per
plant (5 nos. /plant) were recorded for Zn 1 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha treatment while
the lowest values were observed in control at harvest. Results of the growth
parameters varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with time. It was observed that, the
overall best growth performance was achieved in Zn 1 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha.