Enhancing beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) growth and soil quality through vermicompost–fertilizer integration in coastal saline soil

Abstract

In Bangladesh's coastal areas, soil salinity affects both soil health and agricultural output. An experiment was conducted to assess the combined effects of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers on improving saline soil properties and the growth performance of beetroot at the Agricultural Research Field, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design with nine treatment comprises of, T₁ (Control); T₂ (100% RDF* + 0 t ha^-1 VC); T₃ (50% RDF* + 0 t ha^-1 VC*); T₄ (50% RDF* + 2.5 t ha^-1 VC*); T₅ (50% RDF* + 5 t ha^-1 VC*); T₆ (50% RDF* + 10 t ha^-1 VC*); T₇ (100% RDF* + 2.5 t ha^-1 VC*); T₈ (100% RDF* + 5 t ha^-1 VC*); T₉ (100% RDF* + 10 t ha^-1 VC*). The highest Plant height 49.11 cm, maximum number of leaves per plant 12.27, and maximum leaf area 316.23 (cm²) per plot were recorded with the T8 treatment, while the maximum green beetroot yield 6.40 t ha^-1) and maximum root yield 9.37 t ha^-1) were found to be the highest with T₉. Vermicompost application lowered soil electrical conductivity (EC) from 2.94 to 0.98 dS m⁻¹, indicating improved soil conditions and reduced salinity stress. The untreated group (T₁) had the poorest outcome across all variables. These data suggest that integrating vermicompost (5-10 t ha^-1) with standard fertilizer doses significantly enhances beetroot growth, yield, and soil quality under coastal saline conditions, offering an effective approach to sustainably producing vegetables in Noakhali and other saline areas. Additional research is encouraged to corroborate these results across a more extensive agroecological context.