PERFORMANCE OF MUNGBEAN (Vigna radiata L.

) APPLIED WITH
DIFFERENT RATES OF VERMICOMPOST

JENNY JOY B. FORTIN

Tarlac Agricultural University

Camiling, Tarlac
 INTRODUCTION

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is a field legume crop of great commercial and

industrial importance in the Philippines. It has been called the “poor man’s meat” because

of its high protein content (24%). In the Philippines, the production of mung bean is

rather too low that it cannot meet the demand so that there is a need to increase its

production. The demand for this crop is continuously increasing and that different studies

are being conducted to meet the demand and for this reason there is a need to maximize

the productivity of mung bean at the lowest possible cost. One of the several factors

closely associated with mung bean production is fertilizer application.

The soil is the natural medium for crop production. However, soils which are

continuously crop will be depleted of nutrient elements and become unproductive. To

maintain soil fertility, fertilizers are applied to supply elements lacking in the soil.

The application of inorganic fertilizer is popular and practical to farmers.

However, continuous application of inorganic fertilizer makes the soil acidic. Thus,

farmers are encourage to used organic fertilizers such as vermicompost not only to

provide nutrients but also improved soil structure, aeration and increase water holding

capacity.

Organic farming is now getting popular among farmers. This is due to benefits

derived from it compared to inorganic farming. Organic farming can help build up soil

fertility by increasing the availability of organic carbon and phosphorous. Furthermore, it

helps improved the soil structure, aeration and tilt aside from being a gradual and long

term source of nutrient elements.

 Vermicomopost is the new technology which uses vermins (African Night

Crawler) in producing organic fertilizers. Vermicompost is the end of the breakdown of

organic matter. Vermicompost is a nutrient rich, natural fertilizer and conditioner.

Vermicompost is beneficial to soil in three ways; it improves the physical

structure of the soil; it improves the biological properties of the soil, enrich of

microorganism, addition of growth hormones such as Auxins and Gibberellic acid, and

addition of enzymes such as phosphates, cellulose ,etc. It attracts burrowing earthworms

already present in the soil.

Objectives of the Study

The study will be conducted with following objectives;

1. To determine the performance of mung bean applied with different rates of
vermicompost.
2. To evaluate the best rate of vermicompost applied in mung bean.
3. To determine the effect of vermicompost in the physical properties of the soil.

Time and Place of the Study

The study will be conducted at Brgy. Tococ Barikir, Mangatarem, Pangasinan from

March to May 2019.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

 The mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is a legume cultivated for its

edible seeds and sprouts across Asia. There are 3 subgroups of Vigna radiata: one is

cultivated (Vigna radiata subsp. radiata) and two are wild (Vigna

radiata subsp. sublobata and Vigna radiata subsp. glabra). The mung bean plant is an

annual, erect or semi-erect, reaching 0.15-1.25 m (FAO, 2012; Lambrides et al.,

2006; Mogotsi, 2006).

It is slightly hairy with a well-developed root system. Wild types tend to be

prostrate while cultivated types are more erect (Lambrides et al., 2006).

The leaves are alternate, tri-foliate with elliptical to ovate leaflets, 5-18 cm long x

3-15 cm broad. The flowers (4-30) are papillonaceous, pale yellow or greenish in color.

The pods are long, cylindrical, hairy and pending. They contain 7 to 20 small, ellipsoid or

cube-shaped seeds. The seeds are variable in color: they are commonly green but can also

be yellow, olive, brown, purplish brown or black, mottled and/or ridged. Seed colors and

presence or absence of a rough layer are used to distinguish different types of mung bean

(Lambrides et al., 2006; Mogotsi, 2006).

The mung bean is a major edible legume seed in Asia (India, South East-Asia and

East Asia) and is also eaten in Southern Europe and in the Southern USA. The mature

seeds provide an invaluable source of digestible protein for humans in places where meat

is lacking or where people are mostly vegetarian (AVRDC, 2012).

The mung bean is thought to have originated from the Indian subcontinent where

it was domesticated as early as 1500 BC. Cultivated mung beans were introduced to
southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Austronesia, the Americas and the West Indies. It is

now widespread throughout the Tropics and is found from sea level up to 1850 m altitude

in the Himalayas (Lambrides et al., 2006; Mogotsi, 2006).

The mung bean is a fast-growing, warm-season legume. It reaches maturity very

quickly under tropical and subtropical conditions where optimal temperatures are about

28-30°C and always above 15°C. It can be sown during summer and autumn. It does not

require large amounts of water (600-1000 mm rainfall/year) and is tolerant of drought. It

is sensitive to waterlogging. High moisture at maturity tend to spoil the seeds that may

sprout before being harvested (Mogotsi, 2006).

Mung bean seed yields are about 0.4 t/ha but yields as high as 2.5 t/ha can be

reached with selected varieties in Asia (AVRDC, 2012).

The mung bean grows on a wide range of soils but prefers well-drained loams or

sandy loams, with pH ranging from 5 to 8. It is somewhat tolerant to saline soils

(Mogotsi, 2006).

Mungbean crops grown for seeds are generally harvested when pods begin to

darken. They are mostly hand-picked at weekly intervals. In recent varieties in which the

plants mature uniformly, the whole plants are harvested and sun-dried before being

threshed. Once pods have dried, the seeds are removed by beating or trampling (Mogotsi,

2006).

Although profits from mung bean are not dramatically different from those of

soya bean, their drought tolerance and the fact that they are a food crop rather than a feed
crop can aid in buffering some of the farmer’s economic risk because of the variability in

weather and commodity crop prices (Myers, 2000).

The most important product of the mung bean plant is its seed. Mung bean is used

in several food products, both as a whole seed and in processed form (Myers, 2000).

Mung bean sprouts contain Vitamin A, B, C, and E and is a good source of

calcium, iron and potassium. It is often recommended in slimming programs and is a

popular for reducing weight since it has low fat content. It has protein and fiber which

helps lower the cholesterol level in the blood system. The high fiber content of Mung

beans aids digestion. People who suffer from diabetes or high cholesterol are

recommended frequent consumption of Mung bean. In Chinese medicine, Mung bean

sprouts are considered as a cooling food, containing anti-cancer properties. Herbalists use

them for all hot, inflammatory conditions, ranging from systematic infections to heat

stroke and even hypertension. (Lifestyle, 2011)

AVRDC has developed several mung bean with superior lines for production in

the tropics and subtropics. These cultivars are early and uniformly maturing (55-65 days),

high yielding, and disease resistant. AVRDC mung bean lines are; Chainat 60 -Thailand,

BPI Mg7 - Philippines, and Merpati - Indonesia (Lal; Kim; Shanmugasundaram; Kalb,

2001).

Mung bean is best grown after rice. Avoid planting mung bean after mung bean or

mung bean after cabbage (or vice-versa) because toxic residues and disease organisms

may be carried over to the next mung bean or cabbage crops (CABI, 2000).
 Mung bean (Vigna radiata) used to be known as Phaseolus aureus Roxb. before

many Phaseolus .... of protein and digestible dry matter under the variable growing

conditions of the study (Rao et al., 2009). ..... In: Thesis, Philippines Univ.

Nitrogen (N) can be found in fish, animal manure, blood and bone meal, hoof and

horn meal. It is also very abundant in the air. Phosphorous (P) is important for growth.

All plants need it from day one to grow good roots to support the plants later.

Phosphorous (P) increases leaf area without reducing transport of sugar to the roots. For

this reason it is useful long side, Potassium (K), especially for root crops. The nutrient

can be found in rock phosphate and bone meal. It is very immobile nutrient from the soil.

Potassium (K) is involved in the plant processes and in cell sap production. It helps the

plant absorbed and hold unto water. It increases protein synthesis from nitrogen (N).

Potassium (K) causes plants to grow coarse tough vegetation more resistant to plant

diseases (The Organic Gardener, 2009).

Agriculture magazine stated that organic bananas and other organically grown

foods are on the rice, markets are now selling organic foods here and there. DOLE

(Philippines) which grows bananas for export is using Microbial inoculants like effective

microorganism (EM) with wastes after harvest which include damage fruit, trunks, leaves

and other locally available materials like animal manure to produce the needed EM

compost as fertilizer for the company.

Moreover, the compost produced is applied during land preparation. In the

nursery, compost is used as potting medium of tissue cultured plantlets to field planting.

Agriculture magazine p.34-35 August 2003.

 According to Mamaril 2002, Organic fertilizer is a main source of essential

nutrients for the plants as well as for the improvement of soil productivity. Mamaril,

C.P.2002. Agricultural Magazine. Manila Bulletin. September 2002 Ed.

Vermicompost when used at lower substitution rates, can increase growth and

yield of vegetable and ornamental crops. Similarly, vermicompost applied at very low

rates 2.5t\ha or 5t\ha can significantly increase growth yields of highly valuable

vegetables and fruit crops in the field. The effects of vermicompost on plants are not

solely attributed to the quality of mineral nutrition provided but also to its other growth

regulating components such as plant growth hormones and humic acids. Furthermore,

the application of vermicompost in the field enhances the quality of the soil by increasing

microbial activity and microbial biomass which are key components in nutrients cycling,

production of plant growth regulators and protecting plants soil-bone and arthropod pest

attacks (Aranconet. Al, 2005)

Vermicompost is 100% organic and does not contain any additive. It is an ideal

combination of microbial cultures making it useful for all crops and plants.

Vermicompost slowly releases nutrient needed for healthy plant growth and increase fruit

and vegetable production. It is high in soluble nitrogen, potash, potassium, calcium,

magnesium and many other trace elements and over 150 microelements (www.

Vermicompost.com.2000).

The effect of vermicompost on plant growth can be attributed to the addition of

important nutrients. Plants grown in vermicompost amended media grow better than

those grow in un-amended media with similar nutrition levels. Furthermore, the effects of
vermicompost on growth is lost if it is sterilized and cannot be restored by adding

additional nutrients. (www.vermicompost.com.2000)

A recent technology on vermi composting through the use of vermin (African

night Crawlers) has been found to shorten the decomposition time of rice stubbles from

6-8 months to only 4-5 weeks production of organic fertilizers. Vermins eat any partially

decomposed organic wastes and their served as organic fertilizers. Vermicompost

contains high humic acid content. This technology allows the utilization of the wastes

product left on the farm after harvest which are usually burned and wasted. The

utilization of vermicompost may even reduce the expenses on fertilizers even as it

eventually increases the income of farmers and at the same time reduces their dependence

on imported high-priced fertilizers (PCARRD-DOST, 2006).

Vermicomposting utilizes African night crawlers to convert bio-degradable

household and farm wastes into compost. Vermicompost contains high humic acid which

provides plant nutrients such as calcium, iron, sulfur and phosphorous. It is 100% organic

and does not contain any additive (www.vermicompost.com. 2008).

Vermicompost is a nutrient rich, microbiologically-active organic amendment that

results from the interactions between earthworms and microorganisms during the

breakdown of organic matter. It is stabilized, finely divided peat-like material with a low

C; N ratio, high water holding capacity, in which most nutrients are present in forms that

are readily taken up by plants (Dominguez, 2004).

Unlike compost, vermicompost is produced under mesophilic conditions, and

although microorganisms degrade the organic matter biochemically, earthworms are the
crucial drivers of the process, as they aerate, condition and fragment the substrate, thus

drastically altering the microbial activity. Earthworms acts as mechanical blenders, and

by fragmenting the organic matter they modify its physical and chemical status by

gradually reducing the ratio of C; N and increasing the surface area exposed to

microorganism thus making it much more favorable for microbial activity and further

decomposition (Dominguez et al., 2010)

Vermicompost has been found to have beneficial effects when as a total or partial

substitute for mineral fertilizer in peat-based artificial greenhouse potting media and as

soil amendments in field studies. Likewise, some studies show that vermicomposting

leachates or vermicompost water-extracts, used as substrates amendments of foliar

sprays, also promote the growth of tomato plants (Tejada et al.2008), sorghum

(Gutierrez- Micelli et al.,2008), and strawberries (Singh et al.,2010).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental Design

The study will be a pot experiment using sixteen pots. The experiment will be laid

out in Complete Randomized Design, replicated four times with five (5) sample plants

per treatment.
Treatments

T1 - Control

T2 - 100% vermicompost

T3 - 50% vermicompost and 50% garden soil

T4 - 25% vermicompost and 75% garden soil

R1 R2 R3 R4

T1 T3 T4 T2

T3 T1 T2 T4

T2 T4 T1 T3

T4 T2 T3 T1

Preparation of Potting Medium

For Treatment 1 (T1), 100% garden soil will be use as potting medium. For

Treatment 2 (T2), 100% vermicompost will be use. For Treatment 3 (T3) a combination

of garden soil and vermicompost (50% each) will be use and for Treatment 4, (T 4) 25%

vermicompost and 75% garden soil will be use as potting medium in thus study.
Sowing Preparation

Seeds of the mung bean to be use will be sown in a polyethylene bags filled with

potting medium composed of different rate of vermicompost and garden soil.Three

seeds per pot will be sown at about 2 to 3 cm deep. Seed sown was watered immediately

after sowing.

Care and Maintenance

To ensure the healthy growth of mung bean plants, daily watering and weeding

was done to prevent competition for light, water and nutrients.

Control of Insect Pest and Diseases

To control insect pest and diseases, spraying of insecticides will be done weekly

or as the need arises.

Cultivation and Weed Management

Regular shallow cultivation and hand weeding will be done weekly to facilitate

soil aeration and eradicate weeds that compete with the plants for food nutrients and

water.

Harvesting

Harvesting will be done from 60-90 days when the pods turned into brown and

dried.

Threshing

The pods will be threshed to extract the seeds. The seeds will be placed in

separate paper bags to avoid misrepresentation of data.

Data gathering
 In gathering of data, five representative plants from each treatments will be randomly

assigned. From these sample plants the following data were gathered.

1. Height of plants at (cm) - This will be done by measuring the height from the base

of the plant to the tip of the leaves using a meter stick during the appearance of

first flower.

2. Number of pods per plant- This will be done by counting the pods per plant

during the first priming.

3. Length of pods per plant- This will be done by measuring the pods per plant at

maturity.

4. Seed Yield per pot (g.) - This will be done by weighing the seeds yield per pot.

Data Analysis

All the data gathered will be organized, tabulated and analyzed statistically using the

analysis of variance for Complete Randomized Design. Treatment mean will be

computed using Duncan Multiple Range Test.

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