Effect of vermicompost and isopod (Porcellio laevis) fertilizers on growth characteristics of its seedlings and yield of lettuce (lactuca sativa var. Capitata cv. Wismar)

This study was carried to evaluate the effects of the addition vermicompost and terrestrial isopod fertilizer in different ratio to seedling and plant growing media on the emergence, seedling quality, morpohological characters, nutrient content and yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata cv. Wismar). By this purpose, 10 different mixtures containing 1, 5, 10 and 20 % of each fertilizers [including garden soil (control) and peat] as seedling growth media, and 9 different mixtures [garden soil (control)] as plant growth media were used. According to results related to emergence and seedling properties, the differences among applications were not significantly important. However, the leaf number, fresh-dry seedling weight, and fresh root weight of seedling in all mixtures were equal or higher than control. While the total weight and head weight of control plant was 59,53 g and 56,66 g (respectively), the highest values was obtained from the mixtures containing 20% vermicompost with 154,33 g and 150,66 g and this followed by terrestrial isopod (20%). While vitamin C, chlorophyll (SPAD) and phenolic content of all mixtures were higher than control, there were no significant differences in nitrate. In literature, there is not enough information dealing with utilization of terrestrial isopod fertilizer in the production of seedling and vegetables. By this research, it has been demonstrated that it could be used or added to media as a seedling and plant growing media.