Comparison of urban solid waste leachate and vermi-compost as foliar spray and root media on nutritional performance of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Abstract

Two laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to compare and evaluate the nutrition of Phaseolus vulgaris L. plant with foliar spray and root media. In laboratory, effect of four treatments; N- nutrition solution; Urban solid waste leachate (USWL); vermi-compost extract and control (distilled water) on germination and seeding growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. was examined for 10 days in incubation at 20?C. In greenhouse, in addition to four treatments mentioned earlier, vermi-compost paste (after extraction) + sand (1:1 ratio) was included as fifth treatment. Foliar spray of all treatments except the fifth treatment was performed at plant two leaf stage daily for one month. The results showed that foliar spray with organic compounds of low concentrations had a positive effect on vegetative growth and plant weight. In these treatments leaves were thicker, more succulent and dark green in color, probably due to higher photosynthetic activity of plant. Foliar spray with organic compounds increases the droplet persistence on leaf surface and hence more absorption of plant nutrient elements