Effect of Vermicomposting and NPKS fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of red amaranth (cv. Altapati)

74 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 RESEARCH PAPER RESEARCH PAPER RESEARCH PAPER RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESSOPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESS Effect of Vermicomposting and NPKS fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of red amaranth (cv. Altapati) B. M. Mahmudu l Hasan *1 , Md. Nurul Alam 1 , Md. Hanjala Pipil 1 , Marufa Yeasmin 2 , C.M Aditta Alam Protham 2 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Trust U niversity, Barishal, Bangladesh 1Department of Crop Science and Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh 2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Trust University, Barishal, Bangladesh Key words: Vermicompost, Red amaranth , Treatments, Organic matter http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/2 6.1.74 - 87 Article published on January 04, 2025 Abstract This study evaluated the effects of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of various vegetable crops in the Level Barind Tract and the High Ganges River Floodplain of Bangladesh. Experiments conducted on red amaranth in the Level Barind Tract demonstrated that vermicompost at 10 t/ha significantly outperformed 100% NPKS fertilizers, yielding 13.25 t/ha. A combination of vermicompost and NPKS (100%) also produced high yields, with T7 (vermicompost 10 t/ha + 50% NPKS) and T10 (vermicompost 10 t/ha + 100% NPKS) achieving statistically similar results of 13.25 t/ha and 13.17 t/ha, respectively. The experimental field soil exhibited low organic matter and deficiencies in N, P, K, and S, with a pH of 5.4 and medium fertility. The study comprised 12 treatments: control (T1), vermicompost at 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 t/ha (T2, T3, T4), combinations of vermicompost with 50% and 100% NPKS (T5–T10), and 50% and 100% NPKS alone (T11, T12). The NPKS doses were 25-15-20-9 kg/ha for red amaranth. Results indicate that vermicompost at 10 t/ha (T4) consistently outperformed 100% NPKS (T12) in promoting growth and yield, highlighting the effectiveness of organic amendments in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. This study underscores the potential of integrating vermicompost with chemical fertilizers for sustainable vegetable production in the studied regions. * Corresponding Author: B.M. Mahmudul Hasan  jewelgono @gmail.com International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 74-87, 2025 75 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 Introduction Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) plays an important role in nutrition among the leafy vegetables grown in Bangladesh. The leafy amaranth is said to be the native of India (Shanmugavelu, 1989 and Nath, 1976). Among the leafy types, Amaranthus tricolor L. is the most commonly cultivated species in Bangladesh. It is cultivated all over the country in any season due to its adaptability to wide range of soil and climate. However, during winter its growth and development is slower than summer and rainy season (Bose et al., 1993). Growth, yield and quality of red amaranth depend on nutrient availability in soil, which is related to the judicious application of manures and fertilizers. Nutrients may be applied through two sources viz. organic and inorganic sources. Increased use of inorganic fertilizers in crop production deteriorates soil health, causes health hazard and cerates imbalance to environment by polluting air, water, soil etc. The continuous use of chemical fertilizers badly affects the texture and structure, reduces organic matter content and decreases microbial activities of soil. A good soil should have an organic matter content of more than 3%. But in Bangladesh, most soils have less than 1.5%, some soils have less than 1% organic matter (BARC, 1997). In continuous cropping area, organic matter supply to the crop field through different manuring practices is made only to a minimum extent (Islam and Hossain, 1992). Now-a-days gradual deficiencies in soil organic matter and reduced yield of crop are alarming problem in Bangladesh. The cost of inorganic fertilizers is very high and sometimes it is not available in the market for which the farmers fail to apply the inorganic fertilizers to the crop field in optimum time. On the other hand, the organic manure is easily available to the farmers and its cost is low compared to that of inorganic fertilizers. The crop production cost is more or less similar with organic and inorganic fertilizer (Haque, 2000), the use of readily available organic sources of nutrients should be used to maximize the economic return. Vermicompost is a good source of different macro and micronutrients particularly NPKS. Use of vermicompost in vegetable production in large scale can solve the problem for disposal of wastes and also solve the lake of organic matter. On the other hand, a judicious combination of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients might be helpful to obtain a good economic return with good soil health for the subsequent crop. Asiegbu and Oikeh (1995) found that NPK fertilizers were more efficient than the organic manures in supplying N, P and K at least in the short run, while the organic manure had an advantage in supply of other macro and micro nutrient elements not contained in NPK fertilizer. Noor (2002) suggested that addition of 10t/ha cowdung instead of 50% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer can able to produce satisfactory higher yield of cauliflower. Several workers stated that application of N, P, K or organic manure increased yield of vegetables. But there is no available research information about the effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on yield of red amaranth. Recently, few researches worked on vermicompost (Tomar, 1998 in carrot; Saikia, 1998 in potato; Upadhayay, 2003 in potato; Bongkyoon, 2004 in potato etc.). Conditions are looking however, information regarding the use of NPKS and vermicompost alone or in combination on the yield of red amaranth. So, the present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of red amaranth in Barind soils of Bangladesh. Materials and methods The experiment was carried out in the Level Barind Soil (AEZ-25) during rabi season from November 2001 to January 2002 to study the effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of red amaranth (cv. Altapati). There were 12 treatments viz. T 1 = Control, 76 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 T 2 =Vermicompost (2.5 t/ha), T 3 = Vermicompost (5.0 t/ha), T 4 =Vermicompost (10.0 t/ha)+ NPKS (50%), T 7 = Vermicompost (10.0 t/ha)+ NPKS (50%), T 8 = vermicompost (2.5 t/ha)+NPKS (100%), T 9 =Vermicompost (5.0 t/ha) +NPKS (100%), T 10 = Vermicompost (10.0 t/ha) +NPKS (100%), T 11 = NPKS (50%) and T 12 = NPKS (100%). Three crop experiments were laid out in RCBD with 3replications. Soil analysis was done for particle size distribution by Hydrometer method and other parameters by ASI method (Hunter, 1984). The test results showed that the soil was medium fertile with very low content of N & P and pH was 5.4. The land of the experimental field was medium high belonging to the “Level Barind Tract” Agro-ecological Zone (AEZ25). The experimental site was relatively high in elevation compared to surrounding blocks. The doses of N-P-K-S were 25-15-20-9 kg/ha. The whole amount of vermicompost, TSP, MP, gypsum and 50% of urea were applied at the time of unit plot preparation. The rest of urea was applied at 20 days after sowing seeds. The unit plot size was 1.6 cm ×1.25 cm. The seeds of red amaranth were sown on 20 November 2001. Weeding, irrigation, drainage and other intercultural operation were done when necessary. Data on growth, yield and yield contributing parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed with the help of computer package MSTAT and also tested DMRT. Results and discussion The present study was conducted to observe the effect of different doses of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers and their combination on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of red amaranth have been presented in different Tables and Figures. Necessary discussion and possible interaction of the results have been made under the following subheadings. Table 1. Effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on plant height of red amaranth at different days after sowing. Treatments Plant height (cm) 17 DAS 24 DAS 31 DAS 38 DAS 45 DAS T 1 = Control 5.26 h 6.10 g 7.33 i 9.06 i 10.80 f T 2 = VC(2.5 t/ha) 5.63 g 7.33 f 9.53 h 12.33 i 16.30 e T 3 = VC(5 t/ha) 6.30 f 9.10 de 11.60 f 14.43 g 19.68 d T 4 = VC(10 t/ha) 6 .60 e 11.60 c 17.76 d 19.86 e 26.56 b T 5 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 6.16 f 8.80 e 12.63 e 14.30 g 19.96 d T 6 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 7.10 d 12.90 b 17.46 d 19.63 e 26.20 b T 7 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 8.76 a 14.03 a 21.53 b 25.60 b 31.83 a T 8 = VC( 2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 7.43 c 13.33 b 19.90 c 22.20 d 24.13 c T 9 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 7.83 b 13.76 b 20.86 b 23.60 c 27.47 b T 10 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 8.93 a 14.36 a 22.70 a 26.50 a 31.23 a T 11 = NPKS (50%) 6.40 ef 8.73 e 10.50 g 13.50 h 15 .67 e T 12 = NPKS (100%) 7.30 cd 9.43 d 12.80 e 15.13 f 18.53 d LSD 0.2813 0.5022 0.7172 0.633 1.591 CV (%) 6.82 7.10 4.13 6.58 5.20 In a column, figures having same letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT at the 5 % level. 77 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 Plant height The plant height is the major important yield contributing parameter of red amaranth. The plant height was recorded at different growth periods i.e. at 17, 24, 31, 38 and 45 days after sowing (Table-1). The plant height was increased significantly due to the application of different doses of vermicomposting and inorganic fertilizers alone or their combinations. The plant height was increased gradually with increase of growth periods. At 17 DAS, the plant height was significantly influenced by treatments. The plant height ranged from 5.26cm to 8.93cm. The highest plant height was recorded in T 10 treatment having 8.93cm followed by T 7 (8.76cm) but they are statistically similar. The shortest plant height (5.26cm) was grown by the control. Application of vermicompost 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 t/ha gave the plant height of 5.63, 6.30 and 6.60cm. The increasing rates of vermicompost (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 t/ha) plus 50% recommended doses of NPKS fertilizers (RDF) produced plant height of 6.16cm (T 5 ), 7.10cm (T 6 ) and 8.76cm (T 7 ). On the other hand, 100% NPKS with increasing rates of vermicompost obtained 7.43 (T 8 ), 7.83 (T 9 ) and 8.93cm (T 10 ) respectively. It was concluded that chemical fertilizers are more favorable in earlier stages of crop growth. Table 2. Effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on leaves per plant of red amaranth at different days after sowing. Treatments Leaves per plant 17 DAS 24 DAS 31 DAS 38 DAS 45 DAS T 1 = Control 5.13 i 6.20 f 6.80 f 7.36 h 7.76 h T 2 = VC(2.5 t/ha) 5.43 h 6.60 e 7.20 f 7.80 g 8.36 g T 3 = VC(5 t/ha) 6.33 f 7.73 d 8.06 e 8.73 e 9.93 d T 4 = VC(10 t/ha) 6.86 d 8.00 c 8.60 cd 9.33 c 10.16 cd T 5 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 6.60 e 7.90 cd 8.23 de 8.40 f 8.93 f T 6 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 7.00 cd 8.36 b 8.80 bc 9.10 d 9.46 e T 7 = VC(10 t /ha) + NPKS (50%) 7.36 ab 8.43 b 9.13 ab 9.66 b 10.90 b T 8 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 7.20 bc 8.26 b 8.56 cd 8.80 e 10.33 c T 9 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 7.23 bc 8.40 b 8.66 bcd 9.73 ab 10.63 b T 10 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 7.50 a 8.66 a 9.40 a 9.93 a 11.43 a T 11 = NPKS (50%) 5.76 g 6.66 e 6.86 f 7.60 g 8.20 g T 12 = NPKS (100%) 6.76 de 7.76 d 8.40 e 8.63 e 8.93 f LSD 0.2333 0.1989 0.4503 0.2224 0.2984 CV (%) 2.58 3.17 2.46 3.15 4.42 In a column, figures having same letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT at the 5% level. At 24 DAS, the highest plant height was found (14.36 cm) by T 10 and T 10 is statistically similar with T 7 treatment. The shortest plant height (6.10cm) was recorded in control. After passing one month or at 31 DAS, the plant height ranged from 7.33 to 22.70cm. The highest plant height 22.70cm in T 10 and the second highest plant height 22.53cm in T 7 treatment and lowest 7.33cm in control. The statistically similar plant height was recorded of 17.76cm and 17.46cm respectively by 10 t/ha of vermicompost (T 4 ) and by 5.0 t/ha vermicompost + 50% RDF of NPKS respectively. Similarly, application of 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + NPKS (50%) and NPKS (100%) produced the statistically similar plant height of 12.63cm and 12.80cm, respectively. 78 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 At 38 DAS, there was significant variation of plant height in different treatments. The highest plant height was observed in T 10 (26.50cm) followed by T 7 (25.60cm). The shortest plant height (9.06cm) was produced by the control treatment. The highest plant height (31.83cm) at 45 DAS (or harvest) was found in T 7 (vermicompost 10 t/ha + NPKS of 50%), which was statistically similar with T 10 (vermicompost 10 t/ha + NPKS of 100%). The shortest plant height (10.80cm) was recorded in control (T 1 ). However, there are no significant difference among treatments T 3 , T 5 and T 12 ; T 4 , T 6 and T 9 ; T 2 and T 11 at 45 DAS. Ali and Jahan (2001) found that application of vermicompost with NPK significantly increased the plant growth of sesame and lady’s finger. It is noted that chemical fertilizers are more efficient than vermicompost within one month and after one month the effects of vermicompost are more favorable than chemical fertilizers. Table 3. Effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on largest leaf length of red amaranth at different days after sowing. Treatments Largest leaf length (cm) 17 DAS 24 DAS 31 DAS 38 DAS 45 DAS T 1 = Control 2.50 h 3.30 g 4.16 g 4.63 f 5.04 f T 2 = VC(2.5 t/ha) 2.70 gh 3.60 h 4.43 g 4.86 f 5.40 f T 3 = VC(5 t/ha) 3.10 f 4.23 e 5.36 ef 5.50 g 7.33 d T 4 = VC(10 t/ha) 3.50 de 5.43 c 7.06 c 7.83 c 8.63 c T 5 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 3.33 ef 4.10 e 5.10 f 6.20 d 7.10 d T 6 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 3.70 cd 5.10 d 6.53 d 7.46 c 8.23 c T 7 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 3.93 bc 6.20 b 8.20 a 9.06 a 10.10 a T 8 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 3.50 de 5.26 cd 6.80 cd 7.90 c 8.50 c T 9 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 4.03 ab 6.00 b 7.50 b 8.40 b 9.16 b T 10 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 4.26 a 6.63 a 8.36 a 8.83 ab 9.80 a T 11 = NPKS (50%) 2.80 g 3.46 fg 4.36 g 4.66 f 5.20 f T 12 = NPKS (100%) 3.20 f 4.26 e 5.50 e 6.30 d 6.50 e LSD 0.2631 0.2631 0.3145 0.4821 0.5263 CV (%) 5.47 4.45 6.33 5.18 8.12 In a column, figures having same letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT at the 5% level. Asiegbu and Oikeh (1995) reported that chemical fertilizers (NPK) were efficient than the organic manures in the short run. In absence of NPKS only organic manure could not produce higher yield of broccoli (Akter et al. 1996). The results agree with the findings of Kabir (1998) and Azad (2000) who stated that combined application of manures and chemical fertilizers performed the highest plant height of cabbage. Bonkyoon (2004) reported that the plant height of potato was higher in the plots where earthworm casts (vermicompost) and NPK fertilizers were applied than in the control plot. Application of N, P, K and S significantly increased plant height of broccoli also reported by Anwar et al. (2001) and Kadir (2002). Number of leaves per plant The number leaves per plant is an important yield contributing parameter of red amaranth. The number of leaves per plant showed significant variations by the applications of treatments at different DAS (Tables-2). The number of leaves was increased gradually with time and reached its peak at harvest (45DAS) in respect of all treatments. 79 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 At 17 DAS, the number of leaves per plant ranged from 5.13 to 7.50. The maximum leaves (7.50) per plant was observed in T 10 followed by T 7 . The minimum number of leaves per plant was found in the control (T 1 ). However, there are no significant difference between T 8 and T 9 treatments. At 24 DAS, number of leaves per plant ranged from 6.20 to 8.66. The maximum number of leaves (8.66) per plant was recorded in T 10 treatment. The second highest and statistically similar number of leaves were observed from T 6 to T 9 treatments. The lowest (6.20) number of leaves per plant was in control. Table 4. Effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on largest leaf breadth of red amaranth at different days after sowing. Treatments Largest leaf breadth(cm) 17 DAS 24 DAS 31 DAS 38 DAS 45 DAS T 1 = Control 1.86 g 2.44 h 3.10 g 3.56 g 4.03 i T 2 = VC(2.5 t/ha) 2.23 f 2.90 fg 3.73 ef 4.03 ef 4.56 gh T 3 = VC(5 t/ha) 2.43 e 3.16 e 4.10 de 4.30 e 5.13 f T 4 = VC(10 t/ ha) 2.73 c 3.60 c 4.26 cde 5.50 c 6.40 d T 5 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 2.46 e 3.03 e 4.10 de 4.73 d 5.00 f T 6 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 2.76 c 3.40 d 4.56 bcd 5.00 d 5.80 e T 7 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 3.13 b 4.16 b 4.73 bc 6.70 a 8.63 a T 8 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 2.66 cd 3.73 c 4.53 bcd 5.70 c 7.23 c T 9 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 3.16 b 4.00 b 4.90 b 6.03 b 7.46 bc T 10 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 3.40 a 4.40 a 5.43 a 6.46 a 7.73 b T 11 = NPKS (50%) 2.10 f 2.73 g 3.40 fg 3.83 fg 4.30 hi T 12 = NPKS (100%) 2.53 de 3.40 d 3.80 ef 4.23 e 4.76 fg LSD 0.1861 0.1723 0.5216 0.3066 0.4040 CV (%) 3.09 4.35 5.56 4.91 7.07 In a column, figures having same letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT at the 5% level. At 31 DAS, the number of leaves per plant in different treatments ranged from 6.80 to 9.40. The lowest and statistically similar number of leaves per plant was observed in T 1 , T 2 and T 11 treatments. The maximum number of leaves (9.40) was produced by T 10 treatment. The treatments T 6 , T 7 and T 9 did not differ significantly with regard to number of leaves per plant. Similarly, T 4 was similar to T 8 and T 9 . The application of 5 t/ha of vermicompost (T 3 ) produced the number of leaves per plant (8.06), which was statistically similar (8.40) with 100% NPKS (T 12 ). At 38 DAS, the highest number of leaves (9.93) was also observed in T 10 treatment, which was similar to T 9 . The similar leaves per plant were found between T 3 , T 8 & T 12 , and T 2 with T 11 . At harvest (45 DAS), the number of leaves per plant was more than previous growth period. Application of vermicompost and NPKS at different doses along or their combinations markedly influenced the number of leaves per plant. The number of leaves per plant in different treatments ranged from 7.76 to 11.43. The maximum number of leaves (11.43) was obtained by adding 10 t/ha vermicompost + NPKS (100%) (T 10 ) and followed by 10 t/ha of vermicompost + 50% NPKS (Table-5). But treatment T 7 and T 9 did not differ significantly. Application of increasing rates of vermicompost (0, 2.5, 5, 10 t/ha) produced the number of leaves per plant of 7.76, 8.36, 9.93 and 10.16, respectively (T 1 to T 4 ). However, treatment T 3 and T 4 are similar with regard to leaves per plant. 80 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 The treatment T 4 was similar to T 8 that produced 10.16 and 10.33 of leaves per plant respectively. Application of 2.5 t/ha of vermicompost (T 2 ) and NPKS of 50% (T 11 ) produced the statistically similar number of leaves per plant. On the other hand, application of 2.5 t/ha vermicompost + NPKS 50% and NPKS (100%) performed similar number of leaves per plant. The results agreed with the findings of Asiegbu and Oikeh (1995), Rahman (1996). The application of only poultry manure and cowdung caused yield depression even at higher doses (Akter et al. 1996) and they also reported that 10 t/ha of poultry manure with recommended doses of chemical fertilizers produced the highest yield of broccoli. The application of 8-10 t/ha vermicompost tended to increased tuber diameter, number of stems/plant and chlorophyll level of potato plant (Bongkyoon, 2004). Largest leaf length Largest leaf length is the indicator of plant size as well as yield of red amaranth. Significant effect of different treatments was observed on the leaf length of red amaranth at growth period (Table-3). It was found that leaf length was increased gradually with the increase of growth period. Table 5. Effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on yield and yield components of Red Amaranth. Treatments Stem length (cm) Stem breadth (mm) Wt. of plant (g) % DM of plant Total DW (kg/ha) Yield (t/ha) T 1 = Control 8.03 j 11.16 f 2.80 g 10.36 e 337.38 h 3.25 i T 2 = VC(2.5 t/ha) 10.40 i 12.13 f 3.30 f 10.80de 608.51 g 5.63 g T 3 = VC(5 t/ha) 15.20 ef 14.56 e 4.50 e 11.06 cde 811.70 ef 7.33 e T 4 = VC(10 t/h a) 18.93 c 20.46 a 9.80 b 11.80 ab 1025.56 d 8.68 d T 5 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 14.56 fg 15.06 de 6.30 d 10.56 de 766.31 f 7.25 ef T 6 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 17.13 d 16.96 c 8.10 c 10.90de 1083.66 d 9.95 c T 7 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) 21.60 a 21.53 a 11.80 a 11.26 bcd 1491.33 b 13.25 a T 8 = VC(2.5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 15.46 e 17.26 ab 6.80 d 10.86 de 887.66 e 8.17 d T 9 = VC(5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 18.43 c 18.73 b 9.40 b 11.1 bcde 1402.56 c 12.47 b T 10 = VC(10 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) 19.90 b 20.96 a 11.50 a 12.23 a 1609.70 a 13.17 a T 11 = NPKS (50%) 11.53 h 11.93 f 3.20 f 10.96 cde 539.01 g 4.83 h T 12 = NPKS (100%) 14.46 g 16.16 cd 5.20 de 11.66 abc 790.13 f 6.78 f LSD 0.6672 1.5120 2.1640 0.6597 80.21 0.5216 CV (%) 3. 94 4.18 3.17 5.66 9.95 6.79 In a column, figures having same letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT at the 5% level. At 17 DAS, the leaf length varied significantly by the application of different doses of vermicompost and NPKS of 50% or 100% alone or in combination. The application of vermicompost (10 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) produced maximum length of leaf (4.26cm) and followed by vermicompost (5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%) of 4.03cm. The treatment T 3 (vermicompost 5 t/ha) is similar to T 12 (100% NPKS) and T 4 with T 8 . The smallest leaf length (2.50cm) was found in control (T 1 ). At 24 DAS, the leaf length was increased rapidly than 17 DAS in respect of all treatments. The highest leaf length was found in T 10 followed by T 7 and the lowest was in control. The treatment T 7 is similar to T 9 . In growth period within 24 days, the response of chemical fertilizer is more efficient than vermicompost. At 31 DAS, the largest leaf length ranged from 4.16cm to 8.36cm. The highest leaf length 8.36cm was obtained with T 10 . The T 10 is statistically similar to T 7 . The second highest leaf length (7.50cm) was recorded by the application of 81 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 vermicompost (5 t/ha) + NPKS (100%). The treatment T 2 (vermicompost 2.5 t/ha) is similar to T 1 and T 11 . At 38 DAS, the leaf length increased significantly by treatments. The application of different treatments produced the leaf length from 4.63cm to 9.06cm. The highest leaf length of 9.06cm was found by adding vermicompost (10 t/ha) + 50% NPKS, which is statistically similar by vermicompost (10 t/ha) + 100% NPKS (T 10 ). The lowest leaf length was found in control. The treatments T 1 , T 2 and T 11 are also statistically similar. Similarly, T 5 is similar with T 12 and T 8 is similar with T 4 & T 6 . At 45 DAS, the largest leaf length of red amaranth remarkable influenced due to the application of treatments. The leaf length ranged from 5.05cm to 10.10cm. The treatment T 7 caused the maximum leaf length (10.10cm) which was statistically identical with the treatment T 10 but significantly different from the rest treatments. The results reveal that vermicompost (10 t/ha) with 50% or 100% recommended dose of NPKS fertilizers influenced markedly on the leaf length. Application of 50% and 100% doses of NPKS fertilizers produced leaf length of 5.20cm and 6.50cm, respectively. The treatments T 1 , T 2 and T 11 were statistically similar leaf length and treatment T 4 is similar with T 6 and T 8 . Largest leaf breadth Largest leaf breadth per plant of red amaranth was significantly influenced by treatments at different growth period (Table-4). The leaf breadth was gradually increased up to harvest of the crop. Fig. 2. Effect of vermicompost and NPKS fertilizers on percent increase of yield and dry weight of red amaranth over control. At 17 DAS, the leaf breadth ranged from 1.86cm to 3.40cm. The maximum leaf breadth (3.40cm) was recorded in T 10 (vermicompost 10 t/ha + NPKS 100%) followed by T 7 and T 9 . The treatment T 7 and T 9 are similar in statistically. Similarly, the treatment T 2 is similar with T 11 ; T 3 is similar with T 5 & T 12 ; T 4 is similar with T 6 & T 8 . The lowest leaf breadth was also found in control plot. At 24 DAS, the maximum leaf breadth was observed in T 10 followed by T 7 and T 9 . The treatments did not differ significantly in T 4 with T 8 , T 3 with T 5 , T 2 with T 11 , and T6 with T 12 . At 31 DAS, the leaf breadth ranged from 3.10cm to 5.42cm as influenced by treatments. The maximum leaf breadth (5.43cm) was recorded in T 10 . The treatments T 9 , T 8 , T 7 and T 6 did not differ statistically. The minimum leaf breadth was also found in control (T 1 ). In growth period up to 31 DAS, the maximum leaf breadth was observed in T 10 treatment, but after one month i.e. 38 and 45 DAS the highest leaf breadth 82 Hasan et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2025 was produced by T 7 followed by T 10 . The results showed that applied vermicompost are more effective after one month of growth period. The application of 50% recommended doses of NPKS with vermicompost (10 t/ha) is more favorable than 100% NPKS + vermicompost (10 t/ha) in respect of leaf breadth. The results are in partially support with the findings of Balyan et al. (1988) who reported that N fertilizer increased the number of leaves per plant and leaf size (cauliflower) over the control. Anwar et al. (2001) reported that the application of N, P, K and S significantly increased leaf breadth of broccoli. Stem length The stem length is an important yield contributing parameter of red amaranth. The stem length was measured after harvest of the crop. Application of different treatments performed significantly and varied widely over the control. Application of vermicompost at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 t/ha increased stem length of 10.40, 15.20 and 18.93cm respectively. The increasing rates of vermicompost with 50% or 100% NPKS showed stem length in the following orders: T 8 > T 5 , T 9 > T 6 but T 7 > T 10 . The treatment T 4 is similar with T 9 . The treatments T 11 and T 12 produced stem length of 11.3cm and 14.46cm, respectively. Application of vermicompost (10 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) obtained higher stem length (21.60cm) than vermicompost (10 t/ha) with NPKS (100%). This may be due to the over nutrition to the crop, because red amaranth is a short durable vegetable. Stem breadth The stem breadth was significantly influenced by different treatments. The stem breadth ranged from 11.16mm to 21.53mm in different treated plot. The maximum stem breadth (21.53mm) was found by the application of vermicompost (10 t/ha) + NPKS (50%) (T 7 ) followed by T 10 (20.96mm) and T 4 , but they are statistically similar. The treatment T 8 is similar with T 9 ; T 1 is similar with T 2 & T 11 ; T 6 is similar with T 12 and T 3 is similar with T 5 . The above results showed that the response of vermicompost is more efficient than chemical fertilizers when N-P-K-S were used at 25-15-20-9 Kg/ha (100%) in Barind soils. Weight of plant The weight of plant responded significantly by the application of different treatments (Table-8). The treatment T 7 with 11.80g per plant gave the highest plant weight but T 7 is similar with T 10 (11.50g), and followed by T 4 , T 9 and T 6. The treatment T 4 and T 9 did not differ significantly. Similarly, T 2 is similar with T 11 ; T 5 with T 8 & T 12 . The lowest plant weight (2.80g) was found in control. The results showed that vermicompost performed the best response on growth of red amaranth plant. The results are in conformity with the findings of many workers with different crops (Akter et al. 1996 in broccoli; Zarate et al. 1997 in lettuce; Tomas 1998 in brinjal and carrot; Saikia 1998 in potato; Azad 2000 in cabbage and Bongkyoon 2004 in potato). Noor (2001) suggested that addition of 10t/ha cowdung instead of 50% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer can able to produce satisfactory higher yield of cauliflower. Percentage of dry matter of plant Significant variation in respect of percent dry matter of red amaranth plant was observed in different treatments. The maximum dry matter (11.50%) was found from the plants that were treated with T 10 (10 t/ha vermicompost + 100% NPKS), whereas the lowest (10.36%) was found in control (Table-5). There were no significant difference in treatments T 9 with T 7 ; T 2 with T 5 , T 6 , T 8 and T 11 . The effect of inorganic + organic fertilizer in this regard may be attributed to the provision of favorable soil condition and supply of proper nutrients for better growth and yield of plant which produced higher amount of dry matter of red amaranth plant.