Production and income of basil in and out of season with vermicomposts from rabbit manure and bovine ruminal contents alternatives to urea

The intensification in the use of fertilizers that pollute water, soils, air, flora and fauna and their adverse impacts on the health of the population, raises the issue of access to the reuse of organic refuses. The objective of this research was to compare the effects of the urea and two vermicomposts from rabbit manure and bovine ruminal contents, derived from rural and agro-industrial refuse respectively, on production and income of basil Ocimum basilicum L. of the Catamarca Inta Wide Leaf variety, in and out-of-season. This variety, obtained by the National Institute Agricultural Technology, was shown in the greenhouse in two seasons. A quantification of the organic solid refuse has been realized. Gross income and input cost were calculated. The period substrate interaction was significant for the height. In both periods, beneficial effects of vermicompost are observed compared to urea and control, over all the variables. Using vermicompost from rabbit manure in-season, a greater number and area of leaves was found and chlorophyll content increased, compared to vermicompost from rumen contents. In-season the income for basil plants for export treated with vermicompost is higher compared to the plants treated with urea and control. In addition to the productive and economic benefits, the reduced and reused refuse constitute an advantage for the environment. The vermicomposts from rabbit manure and bovine ruminal contents, derived from rural and agroindustrial refuse respectively, are an alternative to the application of urea on the basil production of the Catamarca Inta Wide Leaf variety, in and out-of-season. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.