THE EFFECTS OF RHODOBACTER CAPSULATUS AND VERMICOMPOST APPLICATIONS ON AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF THE MALABAR SPINACH (BASELLA ALBA L.)

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bacteria and vermicompost applications on some agro-morphological traits of the Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.). The standard variety of Basella alba L. was used as plant material, Rhodobacter capsulatus DSM1710 as the bacteria and certain amounts of worm compost was used as fertilizer. The study was designed according to randomized block design with three replicates. The applications were a control, only Rhodobacter (B: 10mL/pod), only solid vermicompost (V: 8%) and three different amounts vermicompost together with a constant bacterial amount (V1B: 4%, V2B: 8%, V3B: 12%) and they were applied to the root area of the plants. Harvesting was done after 40-45 days. The chlorophyll and protein contents of fresh plant rinsed with distilled water were determined after harvest. Among the agro-morphological traits of the Malabar spinach, plant length, leaf length, side branching, plant wet and dry weights increased by all the applications (B, V, V1B, V2B and V3B) compared to the control. There was no significant increase in the leaf number; however, bacteria and vermicompost applications increased the side branching of the plant. The protein amount is not different among the applications but significantly higher than the control. The brightness value L is higher than control in all the applications, the highest L was observed by VB3. The (a) value indicating the green shade decreased by all the applications except for the B application. The (b) value had positive values by all applications showing that the yellow shade is dominant in this plant. The addition of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria and the vermicompost revealed to increase the quality parameters of the Malabar spinach significantly, especially the organic compound. This product contributed as energy source for bacteria activity.