The Effects of Humus of Earthworm on Ivy Gourd Growing; Sustituciôn de Fertilizantes Quimicos por Lombriz Compost en el Cultivo de la Tindora (Coccinia grandis L.)

The organic growing production is increasing in the Dominican Republic due to a higher demand of healthier foods. A trial was set at Universidad ISA to evaluate the effects of the combination of chemical fertilizer and humus from earthworm on Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete blocks design with five treatment combinations and four repetitions. The treatment combination were 0 chemical fertilizer-3612.39 kg/ha of humus; 118.3 kg/ha chemical fertilizer- 2708.33 kg/ha humus; 237.91 kg/ha chemical fertilizer -1805.55 kg/ha humus; 356.22 kg/ha chemical fertilizer-902.77 kg/ha humus; 475.82 kg/ha chemical fertilizer-0 kg/ha humus. The chemical fertilizer formula was Ν (12)-P(24)-K(12). It was applied to the crop eight times during the growing period while the humus from earthworm was applied once at 30 day after the planting. The evaluated variables were fruit yield, length (cm), diameter (cm), number of fruit per plant, fruit weight and profit. The results show that the fruit yield had higher at 15days with 3612.39 kg/ha of humus and 0 chemical fertilizers, however, the total production of Ivy gourd fruit was no significantly different among the treatments. The fruit diameter was increased by the application of 237.91 kg/ha chemical fertilizer and 1805.55kg/ha of humus of earthworm. The data of this study suggest that the humus of earthworm may substitute the chemical fertilizer in the Ivy gourd production.