In situ earthworm breeding in orchards significantly improves the growth, quality and yield of papaya ( Carica papaya L.)

PeerJ

article

Huimin Xiang¹  Jia-en Zhang¹  Lei Guo¹  Benliang Zhao¹ 

[1] College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University;Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture;Key Laboratory of Agro-environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University

关键词: Earthworm in situ breeding;    Papaya;    Plant growth;    Total yield;    Fruits quality;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.2752

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four fertilizer applications—control (C), chemical fertilizer (F), compost (O), and in situ earthworm breeding (E)—on the growth, quality and yield of papaya (Carica papaya L.). In this study, 5 g plant−1 urea (CH4N2O, %N = 46.3%) and 100 g plant−1 C, with significant differences between all treatments. Soluble-solid, sugar, vitamin C, and protein content significantly increased in the E treatment. In addition, the total acid and the electrical conductivity of the fruit significantly decreased in the E treatment. Fruit firmness clearly increased in the O treatment, and decreased in the F treatment. The fresh individual fruit weights, fruit numbers, and total yields were greatly improved in the F and E treatments, and the total yield of the E treatment was higher than that in the F treatment. In conclusion, the in situ earthworm breeding treatment performed better than conventional compost and chemical fertilizer treatments. Furthermore, in situ earthworm breeding may be a potential organic fertilizer application in orchards because it not only improves the fruit quality and yield but also reduces the amount of organic wastes from agriculture as a result of the activities of earthworms.

【 授权许可】

CC BY