Effects of Continuous Application of Rice Straw Compost on Growth and Development of Vegetables

Abstract

In order to confirm the effect of compost application for the growth and development of vegetables in alluvial upland field over twenty-five years, an experiment was carried out for twelve plots in four nutrient plot applying nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium and lime, non-fertilizer plot, non-nitrogen plot, non-phosphoric acid plot, non-potassium plot and non-lime plot with compost application of 20 Mg ha^<-1> or non-compost application. 1) Each nutrient deficiency plot in non-compost application gradually declined in yield, and non-fertilizer plot and non-nitrogen plot had the smallest yield. 2) Non-fertilizer plot, non-nitrogen plot, non-phosphoric acid plot and non-potassium plot with compost application showed higher yield compared with the same experiment plot on non-compost application. Moreover, the yield of non-potassium plot on compost application was the same as four mineral plot on non-compost application. 3) For non-lime plot, the growth was different for each vegetable variety due to low pH. In regard to resistance to low pH, carrot and lettuce were the weakest, while radish and cauliflower were the strongest. Also, yield of each vegetable rose slightly with compost application. 4) Yield ratio of non-nitrogen plot for four mineral plot was always higher for root vegetable compared with leaf vegetable.