Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Eco-Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.
2
Prof., Dept. of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
3
Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz,, Tabriz, Iran
4
Master of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/saps.2025.61411.3213
Abstract
Objectives: Biofertilizers have positive effects on soil and plants. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to assess the impact of seed size and vermicompost on grain yield and physiological quality of cowpea seeds.
Materials & Methods: In 2017, an experiment was carried out as split plots based on a complete randomized block design with three replications at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz. The vermicompost fertilizer levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 tons per hectare) were located in main plots, and seed sizes (large, mixed, and small, with 100 seeds weighing 18.08, 15.29, and 14.91 g, respectively) were allocated to sub-plots.
Results: Germination percentage decreased with increasing seed size. The lowest electrical conductivity was found in small seeds and the highest in large seeds. The application of vermicompost reduced the electrical conductivity of plant seeds produced from large seeds. Increasing seed size decreased the viability of seeds produced under non-vermicompost conditions. All levels of vermicompost increased seedling dry weight of plant seeds from different seed sizes (3.76 grams with 6 tons per hectare of vermicompost).
Conclusion: utilization of vermicompost, especially 4 tons per hectare, increased grain yield per unit area of plants from large and mixed seed sizes. Seedling dry weight had the highest positive correlation with grain yield.
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