Download RESEARCH SUMMARY POTATOES AND CORN 2015

A summary on field experiment with vermi compost solution (vermi extract)
This work with vermicompost solution (extract) produced in company ‘Verners un draugi’
was done at State Priekuli Plant Breeding Institute (Institute of Agricultural Resources and
Economics starting Jan 1st, 2016) by Dr. agr. Livija Zarina, in 2015.
Soil agrochemical parameters before the foundation of experiments in a soil layer 0.0–0.25 m were:
pHKCl= 5.6
Organic matter, 1.9 %
P2O5= 261 mg kg-1
K2O= 160 mg kg-1
The objective of experiment was to study the effects of vermi-extract, which were applied
before potato planting and maize sowing (seed application) and during the growing season on the
crop leaves, on its phytomass (incl the yield) formation.
The field experiment with potato consisted of 8 variants, the field experiment with mais consist of
12 variants. Variant 1 was the control one without the extract application. We studied the effect of
the doses (150 and 250 dm3·ha-1) of vermi-extract applied on seed material before the potato
planting and maize sowing and in vegetations perioda as well in the variants with 5, 10 and 15%
solution.
The achieved results show that applaying of vermi-extract increased the yield of potato. As
the best was variant with application of 10% concentration solution with rate 2.5 L t-1 for seed
potato with foolowing application 1.5 L ha-1 before flowering. There was fixed tendence that in
variants with foliar application increasing amount of large fraction (above 30 mm) tubers.
In order to increase the starch yield it was more suitable to carry out the preplanting vermi-extract
application than during the growing season.
Results from experimental field with maize shows that the foliar application of vermi-extract had
the positive impact on the plant height and of the maize plants only in short term. The information
obtained from the first half of maize growing season related to the plant height was not the
appropriate indicator for the assessment of maize cob number per plant.As the best in vegetation
period of 2015 for maize was variant where vermi- extract application was during the vegetation
provided.
It should be noted that to develop recommendations it is necessary studies through at least
three vegetation periods.
Dr.agr. Livija Zarina,
Head of Crop Management Department of
Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics
27.01.2016.