Effect of Bat Guano and Alpaca Manure on Germination, Growth, Flower Color Intensity, and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Mirabilis jalapa L.

This study investigated the impact of bat guano and alpaca manure, applied singularly or in combination, on the greenhouse production of Mirabilis jalapa L. The central question for this study was whether bat guano + alpaca manure would help plant propagation more than commercial fertilizer and other treatments. The five treatments included: no fertilizer (control), bat guano, alpaca manure, bat guano + alpaca manure, and a commercial fertilizer as a treatment. Among the treatments, bat guano + alpaca manure provided the best germination percentage (94%), plant height (32.1 cm), and fresh weight, and produced greater results than both the control and the commercial fertilizer. Flower colour was assessed by measuring the anthocyanin levels, which were highest with bat guano + alpaca manure, while commercial fertilizer provided some beneficial effects over the control. Plants that received organic treatments and the combination of bat guano + alpaca manure maintained more moisture and showed less decline in chlorophyll stability under adverse conditions, than those receiving either the control or commercial fertilizer. In general, bat guano + alpaca manure provided the best results in all assessments. While these results are unique for a single season in a greenhouse study and may not translate to other systems, bat guano and alpaca manure appear to be an effective combination for sustainable flower production.