Sains Malaysiana 53(3)(2024): 533-547

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5303-05

Enhancing Herbage Growth, Yield and Quality of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) using Bio-Organic Nutrients in Varied Soil Media

(Meningkatkan Pertumbuhan Herba, Hasil dan Kualiti Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) menggunakan Nutrien Bio-Organik dalam Pelbagai Media Tanah)

MARA JEAN MARIELLE CALAPARDO¹ & BRYL I. MANIGO^2,*

¹Agriculture Department, Institute of Agriculture and Related Sciences, Davao del Sur State College – Digos Campus, Digos City, Davao del Sur 8002 Philippines

²Department of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Related Sciences, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus, Apokon, Davao del Norte, 8100 Philippines

Received: 30 May 2023/Accepted: 23 February 2024

Abstract

The present method of stevia propagation is still insufficient to meet its increasing demand. Moreover, the use of organic inputs as substitutes for inorganic fertilizers to improve soil quality and productivity is also desired. In this study, the effects of bio-organic nutrients and different growing media compositions on Stevia’s herbage growth, yield and quality were determined. A completely randomized design was used with 20 rooted stem cuttings per replication at one cutting per potting bag, laid in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement. Growing Media (garden soil alone [GS]; GS + rice hull [RH]; GS + vermicompost [VC]; and GS+RH+VC) served as factor A while bio-organic nutrients (fermented fruit juice [FFJ]; vermi tea [VT]; seaweed tea [ST] and control) as factor B. There were 16 treatment combinations replicated four times. Results showed that GS+RH+VC consistently improved the survival rate, plant height, leaf and shoot count per plant, weight (fresh and dry), and herbage yield of Stevia. Furthermore, VT boosted the herbage yield and visual quality. In terms of interaction effects, plants grown in garden soil mixed with vermicompost (GS+VC) with VT application developed more leaves than other treatment combinations. Hence, these bio-nutrients and growing media composition significantly enhanced the production of Stevia.

Keywords: Herbage yield; organic agriculture; Stevia propagation; Vermi tea

Abstrak

Kaedah pembiakan stevia pada masa ini masih tidak mencukupi untuk memenuhi permintaannya yang semakin meningkat. Selain itu, penggunaan input organik sebagai pengganti baja bukan organik untuk meningkatkan kualiti dan produktiviti tanah juga diingini. Dalam kajian ini, kesan nutrien bio-organik dan komposisi pertumbuhan media yang berbeza terhadap pertumbuhan herba, hasil dan kualiti Stevia telah ditentukan. Reka bentuk rawak sepenuhnya telah digunakan dengan 20 keratan batang berakar setiap replikasi pada satu keratan setiap beg pasu, diletakkan dalam susunan faktorial 4 × 4. Media penanaman (tanah taman sahaja [GS]; GS + sekam padi [RH]; GS + vermikompos [VC]; dan GS+RH+VC) berfungsi sebagai faktor A manakala nutrien bio-organik (jus buah yang ditapai [FFJ]; teh vermi [VT], teh rumpai laut [ST] dan kawalan) sebagai faktor B. Terdapat 16 gabungan rawatan diulang empat kali. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa GS+RH+VC secara tekal meningkatkan kadar kemandirian, ketinggian tumbuhan, bilangan daun dan pucuk setiap tumbuhan, berat (segar dan kering) dan hasil herba Stevia. Tambahan pula, VT meningkatkan hasil herba dan kualiti visual. Dari segi kesan interaksi, tumbuhan yang ditanam dalam tanah taman bercampur dengan vermikompos (GS+VC) dengan penggunaan VT menghasilkan lebih banyak daun berbanding gabungan rawatan lain. Oleh itu, bio-nutrien dan komposisi penanaman media meningkatkan pengeluaran Stevia dengan ketara.

Kata kunci: Hasil herba; pembiakan Stevia; pertanian organik; teh Vermi

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*Corresponding author; email: bryl.manigo@usep.edu.ph