Effect of vermicompost on growth, yield and quality of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

The effects of different amount of vermicompost (0, 10, 20 and 30%) on growth, yield and chemical characteristics of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) cultivar `Virofly` were investigated in a unheated greenhouse at the Horticultural Department the Guilan University, Rasht, Iran during 2006 using Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The results showed that an addition of vermicompost to soil can increase plant heights and number of leaves significantly. Spinach leaves and root were highest when fertilized with vermicompost and lowest when the vermicompost was not supplied. The plants with 10% vermicompost added to soil gave significantly highest potassium, phosphorus, total nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, nitrate amount in petioles and leaves, total soluble solid and microelement such as Iron, Cupper, Manganese and Zink.