Enhancing growth and yield of pole sitao (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.) using an organic biofertilizer produced through hyperthermophilic composting technology
Tarlac Agricultural University, Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines, 2306. Corresponding e-mail: mcaguioa@tau.edu.ph, vimapa@tau.edu.ph, koleenbuenaventura@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i02.78
Pole sitao (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.) is an important vegetable crop in the Philippines, but its productivity is often constrained by declining soil fertility associated with prolonged dependence on inorganic fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted from February to April 2024 to evaluate the effects of five rates of hyperthermophilic composting technology (HCT) produced organic biofertilizer on the growth and yield of pole sitao. The experiment was arranged in randomised complete block design with three replications.The treatments were T1, full recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (RRIF); T2, 50% RRIF + 150 g HCT m?²; T3, 100 g HCT m?²; T4, 300 g HCT m?²; and T5, 500 g HCT m?². The measured variables were plant height, days to flowering, pod length, number of pods per plant, marketable and non-marketable pod yield, and total yield. The 100 g HCT m?² treatment produced plant height and total yield statistically comparable to those obtained with full RRIF, whereas 300 g HCT m?² produced a number of pods per plant and total yield comparable to full RRIF. Full RRIF produced the highest numerical total yield. Overall, appropriately applied HCT-produced organic biofertilizer showed potential to reduce reliance on inorganic fertilizer while supporting pole sitao productivity under the conditions of this study.
