Growth of Lettuce and Young Radish and Changes of Soil Chemical Properties after Application of Soldier Fly Compost

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects on soil chemical properties and plant growth after applying sol-dier fly compost (SFC). Treatments were as follows. No fertilizer (NF), control, SFC1 (SFC 250 kg/10a), SFC2 (SFC 500 kg/10a) and SFC3 (SFC 1,000 kg/10a). As compared to control in the pot test, organic matter (OM) and exchangeable sodium (Ex-Na) of SFC3 treatment were increased, and growth and nutrient uptake of young radish were not significantly different. Correlation coefficient between soil chemical factors like total nitrogen (T-N), OM, and CEC and uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) was significantly positive ( p ≤0.05). Compared to control in the field test, electrical conductivity, T-N, OM, Av.-P 2 O 5 , and CEC was increased, and lettuce growth was not significantly different. Correlation coefficient between application amount of SFC and T-N, OM, and Av.-P 2 O 5 was significant positively ( p ≤ 0.05). These results indicated that the application of SFC improved nutrient availability of soil by increasing OM and CEC.