The effect of vermicompost leachate on morphological, physiological and biochemical indices of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in a soilless culture system

Purpose A comparative study was carried out to assess theimpact of vermicompost leachate (VCL) and inorganicfertilizer either alone or in combination on growth andbiochemical parameters in Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)through a soilless culture system.Methods The cattle manure-based vermicompost wasprocessed by earthworms and the resulting leachate wasbrewed for 48 h and then collected in the system reservoirfor use in soilless culture. An inorganic fertilizer was alsoprepared by dissolving a water soluble fertilizer in distilledwater.Results Most of the parameters measured were influencedby fertilizer type and growth media. The results indicatedthat VCL could increase some growth attributes like biomassproduction, plant height and leaf area, but not asmuch as what observed in the combined treatment ofinorganic fertilizer and VCL. Whereas the carbohydratecontent of the leaves did not significantly change in allfertilizer type treated plants, the photosynthetic efficiencyand the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), (proxidase)POX and (catalase) CAT markedly increased in VCLtreated plants.Conclusion Due to the equivalent effects of both VCL andinorganic fertilizer in the current investigation, it could besuggested that replacing inorganic fertilizer with VCL ordeveloping an equilibrated fertilization strategy that combinesthe proper ratios of inorganic fertilizer and VCLcould be justified for sustainable Stevia cultivation.