The effect of worm cast extract on the frowth of cucumber(Cucum is sativus L.cv,H.N.Semiwhite)seedling

지렁이 분립 배출물이 오이의 초기생장에 미치는 영향

Worm cast is one of the effective and the least harmful organic fertilizer. The purpost of this work is to elucidate the physiological role of worm cast in the plant growth. Worm cast extract contains 17.83ppm of zinc, but either cadmium or lead were not detected in it. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. H. N. Semiwhite) was germinated and incubated with percentage-varied extract. While 10% extract stimulated sprouting of seeds, 100% extract had no effct on it. 50% extract and 100% extract enhanced hypercotyl elongation and fresh weight most effectively. Dry matter and zinc concentration in hypercotyl were increased as percentage of extract increased. Protein con-tent was not affected by extract, 100% extract inhibits water uptake of seedling. Considering these, enhancement of seedling growth was mainly based on increment of water uptake.