Vermicompost, an eco-friendly biofertilizer rich in nutrients, phytohormones, and beneficial organisms, enhances soil properties, crop growth, physiological performance, and productivity. This study investigates the impact of vermicompost (VC) and vermitea (VT) treatments on the growth and physiological features of fenugreek plants compared to control plants receiving 100% NPK fertilizer. The experimental treatments included VC as a soil amendment at 60 g (VC1) and 120 g (VC2) per pot and VT as a foliar spray applied three (VT1) or six times (VT2) during growth. Combinations such as VC1+VT1, VC1+VT2, VC2+VT1, and VC2+VT2 were also evaluated. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with 9 treatments and 4 replicates. Results showed significant improvements in growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and shoot constituents, with combined VC+VT treatments outperforming individual applications. The most effective treatment, VC2+VT2, achieved the highest increases in root size (163.47%), stem length (91.00%), branch number (110.08%), leaf number (29.28%), total leaf area (130.92%), dry weight (189.82%), total chlorophyll (134.78%), carbohydrates (19.64%), proteins (35.65%), and phenols (109.11%) in the first season, with similar results in the second season.These findings suggest that integrated VC+VT applications are a powerful, eco-friendly approach to enhancing fenugreek growth and sustainable productivity, potentially benefiting other crops as well.
Wanas et al. (Sun,) studied this question.