Determination of the effect of earthworm humus on arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) at Patacamaya Experimental Station

Medardo Wilfredo Blanco Villacorta

Abstract

The In Bolivia the average consumption of vegetables is 30.5 kg for person for year, far from the world average, which is 67.6 kg for person for year and some neighboring countries, such as Argentina, where 102 kg is consumed for person for year. The diversity of vegetables is very varied. Consumption is limited to few horticultural species, because the nutritional composition and the benefits of consuming some vegetables such as arugula are unknown. It is rich in potassium, iron and vitamin C. Fresh leaves are consumed, but stems and flowers can also be consumed. The objective was to know the effect of different doses of earthworm humus on the agronomic and yield variables of arugula (Eruca sativa Mill) under temperate conditions. The purpose was to find the best dose of earthworm humus. The investigation was carried out at the Patacamaya Experimental Station, the procedure consisted of preparing the substrate in plastic bottles with the following treatments: T0 was the control, T1 substrate with 10% earthworm humus, T2 substrate with 30% earthworm humus and the T3 substrate with 50% earthworm humus. A DCA was applied with four treatments and four repetitions. The variables evaluated were plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, fresh plant weight and yield. The main results show that T3 was the one that had the best behavior regarding the agronomic variables evaluated compared to the other treatments. Regarding the performance variables, the T3 presented the best weights per plant and yield respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded by indicating that the addition of earthworm humus to the production substrate improves agronomic and yield variables.