Arul rizosferinin mikrobiyolojik özellikleri üzerine vermikompostun tkileri

This study aimed to investigate the effects of vermicompost on the microbiological properties of lettuce rhizosphere. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with controlled environmental conditions using Batavia lettuce as the indicator plant. The study evaluated the changes in pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), soil basal respiration (BSR), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dehydrogenase activity (DHA), catalase activity (CA), chlorophyll, plant height, fresh and dry weight of lettuce plant in the rhizosphere treated with different vermicompost levels (VO [0%], V1 [1%], V3 [2%], and V4 [4%]). The results indicated that vermicompost had a significant impact on soil pH, with higher treatment percentages leading to increased EC regardless of plant presence. The presence of plant roots in the soil had a reducing effect on bulk density at higher vermicompost treatment percentages, while decreasing organic matter content. However, both lower and higher treatment percentages resulted in increased MBC, suggesting a complex relationship between plant presence and microbial activity. CA did not show a consistent increase with vermicompost addition. On the other hand, vermicompost treatment positively influenced dehydrogenase activity, indicating an enhancement in soil microbial activity. The analysis of chlorophyll content revealed that V1 had the highest levels of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll, while V2 had the highest carotenoid content. Plants treated with V1 and V2 exhibited slightly higher average height, and those treated with V2 and V4 showed the highest fresh weight. Additionally, all vermicompost doses (V1, V2, and V4) resulted in higher dry weights compared to the control treatment (V0). Overall, the findings suggest that vermicompost can be effectively used as an organic amendment to improve soil properties and enhance plant growth in agricultural fields. The data indicates that vermicompost doses ranging from 1% to 2% are optimal for overall plant growth. These results contribute to our understanding of the beneficial effects of vermicompost on the rhizosphere and support its application as a sustainable soil management practice in agricultural systems.