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4748239 
Journal Article 
Potential of Chicken Manure Vermicompost as a Substitute for Pine Bark Based Growing Media for Vegetables 
Mupambwa, HA; Ncoyi, K; Mnkeni, PNS 
2017 
Yes 
International Journal of Agriculture and Biology
EISSN: 1560-8530 
19 
5 
1007-1011 
WOS:000412172700008 
Due to the high ammonia concentration associated with chicken manure, there is limited research on how it could be incorporated in horticultural growing media. This study evaluated the influence of substituting pine bark compost (PB) with chicken manure vermicompost (CMV) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%, on media properties and early tomato and cabbage seedling growth. Substitution of PB with CMV at between 25 and 50% resulted in the most appropriate media physical properties which also translated to seedling emergence above 90% for both vegetables. Seedling physical appearance, which is of economic importance was then measured as final leaf area and plant height of the seedlings. Similarly, media with a substitution of between 25 and 50% resulted in a leaf area that was 200% more compared to 100% PB and final plant height that was 100% more than PB alone. Though rich in essential nutrients, chicken manure vermicompost did not prove to be the most ideal medium and its incorporation should be limited to 50% for effective seedling emergence and early development of crops. (C) 2017 Friends Science Publishers 
Tomato seedling vigor; Growing media; Water holding capacity; Porosity