Eco-efficient synergy of vermicompost and biochar in coir-based substrate enhances cherry tomato performance under urban rooftop garden conditions

Mohammad M. ISLAM; Jubayer A. MAHMUD; Sadia A. MAHELI; Rezowana NIZAM; Suraya PARVIN; Md. R. I. ISHMAM; Jesmin ARA; Nirmal DAS; Md. HASANUZZAMAN

doi:10.15835/nbha53414878

Authors

Mohammad M. ISLAM Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3667-0079
Jubayer A. MAHMUD Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3763-925X
Sadia A. MAHELI Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD) https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6499-7481
Rezowana NIZAM Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD) https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8298-2084
Suraya PARVIN Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215 (BD) https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7331-5919
Md. R. I. ISHMAM Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD)
Jesmin ARA Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Botany, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD)
Nirmal DAS WAVE Foundation, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207 (BD)
Md. HASANUZZAMAN Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 (BD) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5463-7897

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53414878

Keywords:

cocopeat, organic amendments, rooftop farming; tomato, urban agriculture

Abstract

In cities with limited area, urban agriculture as rooftop gardening provides a significant contribution to supply safe food and nutrition. Plant growing media are the major concern and coir-based substrate is becoming popular due to light weight, better water retention and thermos-buffering capacity, rich in macro- and micronutrients as well as other beneficial properties. In view of this, this study was conducted to evaluate how the growth, physiology, and yield of cherry tomato under urban rooftop garden were influenced by the synergistic and residual effects of vermicompost and biochar in coir-based substrate. The experiments were conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications and six treatments combinations of vermicompost and biochar composed with different ratios of cocopeat at two subsequent years. Results demonstrated that combined vermicompost and biochar application significantly improved growth, physiological traits, and yield relative to vermicompost-only treatments. The treatment consisted with 67% cocopeat + 30% vermicompost + 3% biochar increased plant growth, physiological and root traits, and contributing yield traits resulting in substantial increases in fruit number (15.42%) and total yield (26.28%) plant^-1 in contrast to control. These changes have been linked to increased nutrient supply, water retention and microbial activity in the growing media. This study provides evidence in support of the combined use of vermicompost and biochar to maximize urban rooftop cherry tomato performance, enhancing urban farming strategies that boast both resilience and resource efficiency.

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