Growth Response of Potted Pechay (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis Var. Black Behi) as Affected by Vermicast, Chicken Manure and Goat Manure Fertilization

This study evaluated the growth response of potted pechay (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis var. Black Behi) to different organic fertilizers, namely vermicast, chicken manure, and goat manure. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications under controlled pot conditions. Treatments consisted of a control (no fertilizer), vermicast, chicken manure, and goat manure applied at uniform rates. Growth parameters such as plant height, leaf count, leaf area, and plant biomass were measured and analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and LSD for mean comparison. Results revealed that all organic fertilizer treatments significantly improved the growth performance of pechay compared to the control. Chicken manure consistently produced the highest values in plant height, leaf area, leaf number, and final biomass, indicating superior vegetative growth. Vermicast showed the second-best performance, followed by goat manure, while the control consistently recorded the lowest values across all parameters. The significant improvements were attributed to the higher nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, present in organic fertilizers, with chicken manure demonstrating the most favorable nutrient effect. Overall, the study confirms that organic fertilizers enhance the growth of pechay, with chicken manure being the most effective treatment under pot conditions. These findings support the use of organic nutrient sources as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers in vegetable production.