Effect of Earthworm on Lettuce Production through the Recycling of Organic and Bio-Compost Production

Abstract

Lettuce is one of the most abundant leafy vegetables and is consumed in its raw form by humans, all over the world. This study is conducted in one of the fields in the district of Al-Garmah City, Iraq, to investigate the effects of several fertilizers (Animal, Chemical, and Compost fertilizer). The crop of lettuce harvested from Aug 2017 to Mar 2018, was used in this study. The experiment is carried out in two stages. The first stage includes the multiplication of the earthworm and the production of the worm (vermicompost). The second stage includes the cultivation of lettuce in three replicates with ten coefficients and additions of animal fertilizer, vermicompost and chemical fertilizer (N, P, and K). The results show that the highest productivity is shown in the lettuce plant in vermicompost second with level recommendation half of the fertilizing, and second-ranked vermicompost and chemical. Only the second level and the third place in the recommendation vermicompost 1/2 second with level waste sheep 1/2 second level. The result showed the percentages of the treatment (T5), (T8), (T3), (T9), (T7), (T2), (T1). It is concluded that the production of vermicomposts in a specialized farm which is environmentally-friendly and hygienic, results in more healthy crops for the consumer, which should be given into consideration. More research in this area is needed to fully understand the ecology of different earthworm species, their interactions and their potential roles in promoting the more sustainable farming system.