The Effects of Vermicompost and Green Manure Use on Yield and Economic Factors in Broccoli

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the yield, quality and unit production cost of broccoli grown under green manure, vermicompost and chemical fertilization. For this purpose, broccoli plants were cultivated as follows: (i) Chemical fertilization (CF), (ii) Vermicompost fertilization (V), (iii) Vermicompost fertilization (VeV) in the common vetch cultivated land as a pre-plant and (iv) Vetch (Ve) as a pre-plant. Curd yield (g plant−1), SPAD, vitamin C (mg 100 g−1), total phenolics (mg GAE 100 mL−1), total sugar (%) and soluble solid content (SSC%) were determined. In addition, input usage levels and costs, unit product cost and gross and net profit analyzes were investigated for all treatments. The highest total curd weight was obtained from VeV treatment (1567.77 g), while the lowest mean was reached in Ve plots with 819.70 g. The highest SPAD values were detected in CF (70.20) and VeV plots (69.76) similar to yield values. The highest vitamin C and total phenolics content were detected in V plots (92.31 mg 100 g−1) (1308.87 mg GAE 100 mL−1). The combined effect of Ve and V increased the yield and quality of the broccoli curds. As a result of economic analysis, approximately twice the net profit difference emerged in VeV treatment compared to other treatments. It was determined that a gross profit of 68% of gross production value and net profit of 64% were obtained.