Abstract:
The experiment was carried out during March 2024 to Jullt 2024 at the Faculty of
I'echnology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka to evaiuate the effect of pineapple peels as
a liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) on the growth and yield of radish (Raphantts sativ-us
L). The different percentages of LOF as treatments were applied to soil after two weeks
of planting of radish seeds. Treatments included T1 as a control [recommended NPK
inorganic ferlilizers (RIF) - full dosagel, T2 (RIF - half dosage + 20oA LOF), T3 (RIF
- half dosage + 40o/o LOF), T4 $fF - half dosage + 600/o LOF), T5 (RIF - half dosage
+ 8071, LOF) and T6 (RIF - half dosage + 100% LOF). These treatments were arranged
in randomised complete design (RCD) along with six replications. The results revealed
the treatment T4 had surpassed all other treatments by achieving the maximum plant
heights, which amounted to 30.98 cm. Though far less successful lhanT4, T3 and T5
aiso shown significant development. Less rapid development and reduced heights
were seen in T1, T2, and T6. Over the duration of the research, T3, T2, and T6 had the
most leaves, while T3 displayed the next-highest number of leaves. Leaf area index
(LAI), T4 had the greatest LAI values, which were particularly noticeable by the eighth
week (116.98 cm2), suggesting an improved rate of leaf growlh. Weights of leaves and
tuber, T4 produced the highest fresh w'eight (61 .40 g) and dry weight (5 .92 g) of leaves,
andthehighestfreshweight(i04.07 g) anddryweight 15.92g) oftubers. WhereasTl
and T6 had the lowest weights, T3 and T5 demonstrated moderate efficacy.
Additionally, T4 had the largest tuber length and girth, indicating that it had a better
effect on the growth of radish tubers. Productivify, T4 outperformed other treatments,
producing the largest tuber weighl (34.69 g). In terms of encouraging raclish growth
generally, T2, which had the lowest yield, showed less efficacy. lt appears that T4
provides the most dependable and constant performance due to the iarge yield
variability among treatments.
