Effects of compost tea treatments on productivity of lettuce and kohlrabi systems under organic cropping management

Submitted: 20 February 2014
Accepted: 25 August 2014
Published: 30 September 2014
Abstract Views: 5186
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Authors

  • Catello Pane Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Orticoltura, Pontecagnano (SA), Italy.
  • Assunta Maria Palese Dipartimento delle Culture Europee e del Mediterraneo: Architettura, Ambiente, Patrimoni Culturali, Università della Basilicata, Matera, Italy.
  • Giuseppe Celano Dipartimento delle Culture Europee e del Mediterraneo: Architettura, Ambiente, Patrimoni Culturali, Università della Basilicata, Matera, Italy.
  • Massimo Zaccardelli massimo.zaccardelli@entecra.it Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Orticoltura, Pontecagnano (SA), Italy.
The use of compost tea (CT) is becoming interesting for applications in organic agriculture. CTs are oxygenated extracts of compost that give positive effects on the crops because contain bioactive molecules and microorganisms that improve plant growth and health. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of CTs applied as foliar spray and drenching, respectively, on kohlrabi and lettuce cultivation. The CT tested here was originated by an aerated water-extraction of two artichoke and fennel composts. CT treatments considerably improved crop yields. CT, in fact, increased lettuce and kohlrabi commercial yields higher 24% and 32%, respectively. Due to CT, the physiological and nutritional status of the plants increased, as noticed by foliar chlorophyll content assessment measured during crop cycles. The results provided encouraging indications about the practical application of CT in horticultural organic farming system.

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Pane, C., Palese, A. M., Celano, G., & Zaccardelli, M. (2014). Effects of compost tea treatments on productivity of lettuce and kohlrabi systems under organic cropping management. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 9(3), 153–156. https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2014.596