ABSTRACT
Effect of bokashi improved with rock phosphate on parsley cultivation under organic management in greenhouse management

Vicente Maass1, Cecilia Céspedes2*, and Claudio Cárdenas3
 
The application of stabilized organic matter to the soil is essential for the sustainability of a production system. Bokashi is a biofertilizer produced by the aerobic decomposition of organic matter that contributes to the conservation of soil fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bokashi improved with rock phosphate on a curled parsley crop (Petroselinum crispum [Mill.] Fuss var. crispum) under organic management. The process to prepare bokashi at 9% rock phosphate (BP) and without rock phosphate (BK) was evaluated in all treatments at the same temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and moisture content. Afterward, the effect of applying bokashi on potted curled parsley was evaluated for 10 treatments and 5 replicates. Treatments consisted of three rates (10%, 15%, and 30%) of three P fertilization sources: bokashi with rock phosphate added to the process (BRE), bokashi without rock phosphate (BSR), bokashi without rock phosphate in the process plus rock phosphate added to the pot (BRM), and a control without bokashi (B0). The chlorophyll index, dry matter (DM), foliar P content, and soil available P were evaluated after harvest. The addition of rock phosphate to the compost increased soluble P content by 17.7% and nearly doubled soluble Ca. The BRM treatment at 30% obtained the highest chlorophyll index and BRE at 15% had the maximum DM value. Treatments with bokashi at 30% obtained the highest foliar P content and soil available P. All treatments, except BSR at 10%, improved the chlorophyll index and DM. The evaluated parameters did not vary according to the type of bokashi, but responded to different rates.
Keywords: Bokashi, organic fertilizer, rock phosphate.
1Universidad Mayor, Facultad de Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Santiago, Chile.
2Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, INIA Quilamapu, Av. Vicente Méndez 515, Chillán, Chile.
*Corresponding author (cecilia.cespedes@inia.cl).
3Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG), Paseo Bulnes 241 piso 7, Santiago, Chile.