Growth and Yield Responses of White Cabbage Influenced by Vermicompost Tea and Vermicompost Tea Residue
Keywords:
Brassica oleracea var. capitata, cabbage, organic fertilisers, vermicompost tea, vermicompost tea residue
Abstract
White cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is one of the oldest known vegetable crops and is commonly grown worldwide. Vermicompost tea (VCT) is considered a biofertiliser and is used in sustainable agriculture to promote crop yield and improve soil properties. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of VCT and VCT residue (the solid material remaining after producing VCT) and their competency to partly replace inorganic fertilisers for the growth and yield of white cabbage under field conditions. The results showed that the use of VCT at an extraction ratio of 1:5 combined with 50% inorganic fertiliser significantly increased the cabbage head diameter and mean individual weight at harvest compared to the 100% inorganic fertiliser treatment. Noticeably, the application of VCT in a 1:5 combination with VCT residue + 50% inorganic fertilisers and VCT in a 1:10 combination with VCT residue + 50% inorganic fertilisers showed the best performances among treatments, with significant increases in the 3-m2 plot yield of 24.7%, and 14.3%, respectively, compared to the treatment with 100% inorganic fertilisers. These results demonstrate that VCT combined with VCT residue can replace a substantial proportion of inorganic fertilisers in cabbage cultivation, thereby reducing reliance on these non-sustainable products while recycling waste materials in sustainable agriculture.
References
Alkobaisy, J. S., Abdel Ghani, E. T., Mutlag, N. A., & Lafi, A. S. A. (2021). Effect of vermicompost and vermicompost tea on the growth and yield of broccoli and some soil properties. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 761 (1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/761/1/012008.
Amante, G. (2024). Advancing Agricultural Sustainability: Vermicomposting as a Biochemical Pathway for Improved Soil Health and Climate Resilience. Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 4 (2), 86-94. https://doi.org/10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.006.
Arosha, K. P. L., & Sarvananda, L. (2022). Vermicomposting tea a potential liquid biofertilizer. Frontiers in Life Science Research, 1 (1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.56397/FLSR.2022.10.01.
Assefa, S., & Tadesse, S. (2019). The principal role of organic fertilizer on soil properties and agricultural productivity-a Review. Agricultural Research & Technology, 22 (2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.19080/artoaj.2019.22.556192.
Chali Abate, J. (2023). The impacts of using inorganic chemical fertilizers on the environment and human health. Organic & Medicinal Chemistry International Journal, 13 (3), 001-008. https://doi.org/10.19080/omcij.2023.13.555864.
Chanu, N. C., Sanasam, J., Maisnam, G., & Thakur, D. (2025). Effect of various organic on growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). In BIO Web of Conferences, 178, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202517801009.
Che Sulaiman, I.S., & Mohamad, A. (2020). The Use of Vermiwash and Vermicompost Extract in Plant Disease and Pest Control. In C. Egbuna & B. Sawicka (Eds.), Natural Remedies for Pest, Disease and Weed Control. (pp. 187-201). Academic Press. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-819304-4.00016-6.
Duarte, L. O., Clemente, J. M., Caixeta, I. A. B., Senoski, M. D. P., & Aquino, L. A. D. (2019). Dry matter and nutrient accumulation curve in cabbage crop. Revista Caatinga, 32 (3), 679-689. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252019v32n312rc.
Ghaffari, H., Tadayon, M. R., Bahador, M., & Razmjoo, J. (2022). Biochemical and yield response of sugar beet to drought stress and foliar application of vermicompost tea. Plant Stress, 5, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2022.100087.
Hatibie, S., & Garantjang, S. (2022). The effect of manure combination and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) on livestock-integrated maize farming production (Zea mays L). Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci., 4 (1), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.20956/hajas.v4ij.20594.
Hernández, T., Chocano, C., Moreno, J. L., & García, C. (2014). Towards a more sustainable fertilization: Combined use of compost and inorganic fertilization for tomato cultivation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 196, 178-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.07.006.
Ingham, E (2005). The compost tea brewing manual, latest methods and research. Oregon: Soil Food web Incorporate.
Khanam, M., Alam, M. S., Kamal, M. Z. U., Akter, M., Binte, B. I., & Alam, M. A. (2022). Efficacy of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of cauliflower in acidic soil of Bangladesh. European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 4 (3), 24-29. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2022.4.3.500.
Kumar, A., Ajrabat, B., Singh, S., Kumar, V, Dhotra, B., & Sharma, A. (2019). Vermicompost: An organic manure for sustainable agriculture. Rashtriya Krishi, 14 (1), 11-14.
Luu, T. T. H., Le, T. L., Nguyen, V. T., Nguyen, T. D. T., & Green, I. D. (2023a). Effect of three types of growing media and vermicompost tea on the growth and individual weight of Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey). Tra Vinh University Journal of Science, 13 (4), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.35382/tvujs.13.4.2023.2847.
Luu, T. T. H., Le, T. L., Huynh, N., & Green, I. D. (2023b). Effect of spent coffee grounds and liquid worm fertilizer on the growth and yield of Brassica campestris L. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 26 (4), 390-397. https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2023.26.04.390-397.
Mohite, D. D., Chavan, S. S., Jadhav, V. S., Kanase, T., Kadam, M. A., & Singh, A. S. (2024). Vermicomposting: a holistic approach for sustainable crop production, nutrient-rich bio fertilizer, and environmental restoration. Discover Sustainability, 5 (60), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00245-y.
Oyege, I., & Bhaskar, M. S. B. (2023). Effects of vermicompost on soil and plant health and promoting sustainable agriculture. Soil Systems, 7 (4), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems7040101.
Oyege, I., & Bhaskar, M. S. B. (2025). The role of vermicompost and vermicompost tea in sustainable corn production and fall armyworm suppression. Agriculture, 15 (13), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131433.
Oyege, I., & Bhaskar, M. S. B. (2024). Evaluation of vermicompost and vermicompost tea application on corn (Zea mays) growth and physiology using optical plant sensors. Plant Nutrition, 48, 1275–1293. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2024.2434583.
Pant, A. P., Radovich, T. J., Hue, N. V., & Miyasaka, S. C. (2012). Pak choi (Brassica rapa, Chinensis group) yield, phytonutrient content, and soil biological properties as affected by vermicompost-to-water ratio used for extraction. HortScience, 47 (3), 395-402. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.47.3.395
Phillips, I., Paungfoo-Lonhienne, C., Tahmasbian, I., Hunter, B., Smith, B., Mayer, D., & Redding, M. (2022). Combination of inorganic nitrogen and organic soil amendment improves nitrogen use efficiency while reducing nitrogen runoff. Nitrogen, 3 (1), 58-73. https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3010004.
Souffront, D. K. S., Salazar-Amoretti, D., & Jayachandran, K. (2022). Influence of vermicompost tea on secondary metabolite production in tomato crop. Scientia Horticulturae, 301, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111135.
Ștefan, I. M. A., & Ona, A. D. (2020). Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). Overview of the health benefits and therapeutical uses. Hop and Medicinal Plants, 28 (1-2), 150-169.
Wang, J., Yang, X., Huang, S., Wu, L., Cai, Z., & Xu, M. (2025). Long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers increases crop yield sustainability by improving soil fertility in maize–wheat cropping systems. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 24 (1), 290-305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jia.2024.07.003.
Yatoo, A. M., Ali, M. N., Baba, Z. A., Alsohim, A. S., Muthukumaran, M., & Sayyed, R. Z. (2024). Effect of macrophyte biomass-based vermicompost and vermicompost tea on plant growth, productivity, and biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease in tomato. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 60, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2024.103320.
Amante, G. (2024). Advancing Agricultural Sustainability: Vermicomposting as a Biochemical Pathway for Improved Soil Health and Climate Resilience. Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science, 4 (2), 86-94. https://doi.org/10.36348/merjafs.2024.v04i02.006.
Arosha, K. P. L., & Sarvananda, L. (2022). Vermicomposting tea a potential liquid biofertilizer. Frontiers in Life Science Research, 1 (1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.56397/FLSR.2022.10.01.
Assefa, S., & Tadesse, S. (2019). The principal role of organic fertilizer on soil properties and agricultural productivity-a Review. Agricultural Research & Technology, 22 (2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.19080/artoaj.2019.22.556192.
Chali Abate, J. (2023). The impacts of using inorganic chemical fertilizers on the environment and human health. Organic & Medicinal Chemistry International Journal, 13 (3), 001-008. https://doi.org/10.19080/omcij.2023.13.555864.
Chanu, N. C., Sanasam, J., Maisnam, G., & Thakur, D. (2025). Effect of various organic on growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). In BIO Web of Conferences, 178, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202517801009.
Che Sulaiman, I.S., & Mohamad, A. (2020). The Use of Vermiwash and Vermicompost Extract in Plant Disease and Pest Control. In C. Egbuna & B. Sawicka (Eds.), Natural Remedies for Pest, Disease and Weed Control. (pp. 187-201). Academic Press. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-819304-4.00016-6.
Duarte, L. O., Clemente, J. M., Caixeta, I. A. B., Senoski, M. D. P., & Aquino, L. A. D. (2019). Dry matter and nutrient accumulation curve in cabbage crop. Revista Caatinga, 32 (3), 679-689. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252019v32n312rc.
Ghaffari, H., Tadayon, M. R., Bahador, M., & Razmjoo, J. (2022). Biochemical and yield response of sugar beet to drought stress and foliar application of vermicompost tea. Plant Stress, 5, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2022.100087.
Hatibie, S., & Garantjang, S. (2022). The effect of manure combination and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) on livestock-integrated maize farming production (Zea mays L). Hasanuddin J. Anim. Sci., 4 (1), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.20956/hajas.v4ij.20594.
Hernández, T., Chocano, C., Moreno, J. L., & García, C. (2014). Towards a more sustainable fertilization: Combined use of compost and inorganic fertilization for tomato cultivation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 196, 178-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.07.006.
Ingham, E (2005). The compost tea brewing manual, latest methods and research. Oregon: Soil Food web Incorporate.
Khanam, M., Alam, M. S., Kamal, M. Z. U., Akter, M., Binte, B. I., & Alam, M. A. (2022). Efficacy of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of cauliflower in acidic soil of Bangladesh. European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 4 (3), 24-29. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2022.4.3.500.
Kumar, A., Ajrabat, B., Singh, S., Kumar, V, Dhotra, B., & Sharma, A. (2019). Vermicompost: An organic manure for sustainable agriculture. Rashtriya Krishi, 14 (1), 11-14.
Luu, T. T. H., Le, T. L., Nguyen, V. T., Nguyen, T. D. T., & Green, I. D. (2023a). Effect of three types of growing media and vermicompost tea on the growth and individual weight of Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey). Tra Vinh University Journal of Science, 13 (4), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.35382/tvujs.13.4.2023.2847.
Luu, T. T. H., Le, T. L., Huynh, N., & Green, I. D. (2023b). Effect of spent coffee grounds and liquid worm fertilizer on the growth and yield of Brassica campestris L. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 26 (4), 390-397. https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2023.26.04.390-397.
Mohite, D. D., Chavan, S. S., Jadhav, V. S., Kanase, T., Kadam, M. A., & Singh, A. S. (2024). Vermicomposting: a holistic approach for sustainable crop production, nutrient-rich bio fertilizer, and environmental restoration. Discover Sustainability, 5 (60), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00245-y.
Oyege, I., & Bhaskar, M. S. B. (2023). Effects of vermicompost on soil and plant health and promoting sustainable agriculture. Soil Systems, 7 (4), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems7040101.
Oyege, I., & Bhaskar, M. S. B. (2025). The role of vermicompost and vermicompost tea in sustainable corn production and fall armyworm suppression. Agriculture, 15 (13), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131433.
Oyege, I., & Bhaskar, M. S. B. (2024). Evaluation of vermicompost and vermicompost tea application on corn (Zea mays) growth and physiology using optical plant sensors. Plant Nutrition, 48, 1275–1293. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2024.2434583.
Pant, A. P., Radovich, T. J., Hue, N. V., & Miyasaka, S. C. (2012). Pak choi (Brassica rapa, Chinensis group) yield, phytonutrient content, and soil biological properties as affected by vermicompost-to-water ratio used for extraction. HortScience, 47 (3), 395-402. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.47.3.395
Phillips, I., Paungfoo-Lonhienne, C., Tahmasbian, I., Hunter, B., Smith, B., Mayer, D., & Redding, M. (2022). Combination of inorganic nitrogen and organic soil amendment improves nitrogen use efficiency while reducing nitrogen runoff. Nitrogen, 3 (1), 58-73. https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3010004.
Souffront, D. K. S., Salazar-Amoretti, D., & Jayachandran, K. (2022). Influence of vermicompost tea on secondary metabolite production in tomato crop. Scientia Horticulturae, 301, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111135.
Ștefan, I. M. A., & Ona, A. D. (2020). Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). Overview of the health benefits and therapeutical uses. Hop and Medicinal Plants, 28 (1-2), 150-169.
Wang, J., Yang, X., Huang, S., Wu, L., Cai, Z., & Xu, M. (2025). Long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers increases crop yield sustainability by improving soil fertility in maize–wheat cropping systems. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 24 (1), 290-305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jia.2024.07.003.
Yatoo, A. M., Ali, M. N., Baba, Z. A., Alsohim, A. S., Muthukumaran, M., & Sayyed, R. Z. (2024). Effect of macrophyte biomass-based vermicompost and vermicompost tea on plant growth, productivity, and biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease in tomato. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 60, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2024.103320.
