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Article Saabunud / Received 30.08.2019 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 11.10.2019 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 15.10.2019 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.com The purpose was to assess the effect of silicon on the leaf lettuce production. The experiments in the greenhouse were carried out in the spring 2014 at the Estonian Crop Research Institute. Treatments: 1) stabilized silicic acid treatment; 2) control. Si treatment (2 mL L–1 of silicic acid): First spray, when 1 true leaf was present; second spray was two weeks after spray 1; third spray was two weeks after spray 2. The pH of spray solution was 5.5. pH of spray solution was 5.5. Control plants were treated with water. The plants were 26% higher in Si variant. The width of leaf lettuce was 32% larger in Si variant. In leaf lettuce the phosphorus content was 14% higher, the content of calcium was 32% higher, the content of magnesium was 12% higher in Si variant than in control.

Saabunud / Received 17.03.2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 25.05.2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 26.05.2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.com Effective microorganisms' bokashi fermentation is proposed to upcycle food waste to novel feed supplements, and to (partially) replace traditional composting of food waste (and secondary residues from industrial processes) to facilitate both plant production and soil quality as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose was to assess the influence of bokashi tea treatment on the growth of tomato transplants. There were two treatments: one with bokashi tea and second without bokashi tea (control). Tomato transplants treated with bokashi tea tended to be higher than those in control; while the results were not significantly different. The number of leaves of tomato transplants treated with bokashi tea was not significantly different. The stem diameter of tomato transplants was 13% greater (P = 0.04) in bokashi tea treated plants than in control. Conclusion: Bokashi tea improves the growth of tomato transplants by increasing stem diameter and is allowing for plants to take up more nutrients.

Article Saabunud / Received 07.01.2019 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 23.05.2019 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 23.05.2019 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.com Vermicompost produced by earthworms is rich in macro- and micronutrients, vitamins and growth hormones, which are all needed for successful plant growth. The influence of vermicompost based growth substrates on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth and nutrient content was assessed. Treatments were: 1. 30% vermicompost, peat, sand, dolomite stone; 2. 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, perlite; 3. 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, light gravel, 4. commercially available growth medium, or 5. 20% vermicompost and organic matter rich clay soil. Basil growth was best with treatments 1 and 2. Nutrient content of basil was best in treatment 3. The best growth substrate for basil production is treatment 1, based on growth results, while based on nutrient analysis when basil is used in medicine, the right treatment is 3: 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, light gravel.

Saabunud / Received 05.08.2019 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 23.12.2019 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 25.12.2019 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.com Vermicomposting is described as "bioxidation and stabili zation of organic material involving the joint action of earthworms and mesophilic micro-organisms". Under appropriate conditions, worms eat agricultural waste and reduce the volume by 40 to 60%. Vermicompost produced by the activity of earthworms is rich in macro and micro nutrients, vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as proteases, amylases, lipase, cellulase and chitinase and immobilized microflora. The enzymes continue to disintegrate organic matter even after they have been ejected from the worms. Reduced use of water for irrigation, reduced pest attack, reduced termite attack, reduced weed growth; faster rate of seed germination and rapid seedlings growth and development; greater numbers of fruits per plant (in vegetable crops) and greater numbers of seeds per year (in cereal crops) are only some of the beneficial effects of the vermicompost usage in agricultural production. Earthworms and vermicompost can boost horticultural production without agrochemicals. In spite of the benefits associated with vermicompost, its use is not widespread yet. This review attempts as increasing awareness of this local soil amendment.

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Article Saabunud / Received 04.04.18 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 22.05.18 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 23.05.18 Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.ee Vermicompost is the excreta of earthworm, which are capable of improving soil health and nutrient status. Vermiculture is a process by which all types of biodegradable wastes such as farm wastes, kitchen wastes, market wastes, bio-wastes of agro based industries, livestock wastes etc. are converted while passing through the worm-gut to nutrient rich vermicompost. The aim was to find suitable substrate to grow cress. 1. 30% vermicompost, peat, sand and dolomite stone. 2. 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, perlite. 3. 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, light gravel. 4. Growth substrate bought from a shop in Estonia (seller didn't allow to usage the name of the brand). 5. 20% vermicompost and organic matter rich claysoil. Results: Most elongated cress plants were in treatment 4, and the shortest ones in treatment 5. At the same time the longest roots were measured from plants in treatment 2, but shortest in treatment 5. The thickest stem was measured by treatment 1 and the thinnest stem was by treatment 5. The chemical analyses are showing that the smallest content of nitrogen was by treatment 3 and the highest by treatment 4. The smallest content of phosphorus was by treatment 5 and the highest by treatment 4. The smallest content of potassium was by treatment 4 and the highest by treatment 5. The smallest content of calcium was by treatment 4 and the highest by treatment 3. The smallest content of magnesium was by treatment 4 and the highest by treatment 5. Conclusion: out of the results of this experiment we could conclude that the best substrate to grow cress is substrate number 3: 25% vermicompost, peat, gravel, light gravel. http://dx.doi.org/10.15159/jas.18.02

Article Pisum sativum L. is important protein crop in the world. The purpose of this investigation was to see whether pea varieties differ in their yield, height and content of protein. Another aim was to select the best varieties suitable for production. Field experiments with different varieties of peas (‘Bruno’, ‘Capella’, ‘Clara’ and ‘Vitra’) were carried out at the Estonian Crop Research Institute in 2014 and in 2015. Yields (t ha-1 ) in 2014 and 2015 did not differ much, while yield from variety ‘Bruno’ was very different between years 2014 and 2015 and was much higher in 2015. The most suitable height of field peas is in a range of 60...100 cm, because the plants with such a height are most effectively suppressing weeds. It can be concluded that varieties with suitable height in our investigation were: ‘Bruno’, ‘Capella’ and ‘Clara’. Variety ‘Vitra’ was too high, is lodging easily and is therefore hard to harvest. Crude protein content (% in dry matter) was lowest in ‘Clara’; all other varieties had a higher content of protein, within much the same range. Based on the results of present investigation it can be concluded that out of those four varieties the most suitable varieties for production are ‘Bruno’ and ‘Capella’. Choice of the right variety for pea cultivation is very important, but depends on the local agro-climatic conditions. As in Baltic – Nordic countries and in north of America the agro-climatic conditions are more or less similar the results are useful for those countries.

Saabunud / Received 10.06.17 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 11.08.17 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 22.09.17 Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle ; e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.com Si helps plants to mitigate with abiotic and biotic stresses because of Si-treated plants become stronger, sturdier and naturally more tolerant. The purpose of the investigations was to look the effect of Silicon on the iceberg lettuce growth and quality. There were two treatments: 1. stabilized silicic acid treatment; 2. control. The first spray, when 1 real leaf was present; the second spray was 2 weeks after spray 1; the third spray was 2 weeks after spray 2. First spray: 1 ml silicic acid was solved in 0.5 litre distilled water; second spray: 2 ml silicic acid was solved in 1 litre distilled water; third spray: 2 ml silicic acid was solved in 1 litre distilled water. pH of spray solution was 5,5. Control plants were untreated. Iceberg lettuce plants were taller and more bread in Si treatment compared to control. The content of NO3, N, P, and Ca was higher in Si-treated plants.

Journal für Kulturpflanzen 68(8) 2016, Silicon (Si) is not an essential element for plant growth but considered as beneficial for the growth and development of most plants. The objective of this investigation was to investigate the effect of an extra supply of Si with foliar applied finely dispersed SiO2 • H2O (= silicic acid “dissolved” in water) on early growth and elementalcomposition of tomato transplants. Silicic acid wasapplied as an aqueous spray applied in different concentrations from the first true leaf stage three times at two-week intervals in total 108 g/ha Si. Tomato transplants were taller with larger stem diameters when treateted with Si and NO3, N, P, K and Ca concentrations enhanced.

Journal für Kulturpflanzen 68(1) 2016, Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element after oxygen in soil. However, many field studies have shown that supplying crops with extra Si in form of finely dispersed SiO2 · n H2O (= silicic acid “dissolved” in water) suppresses plant disease, reduces insect attack, improves environmental stress tolerance, and increases crop productivity. The purpose of this investigation was to look at the influence of foliar applied silicic acid on the chemical content of field peas of variety Mehis. Silicic acid was applied as an aqueous spray applied in different concentrations from the 2-3 true leaf stage at two-week intervals from 21 May to 2 July 2014, in total 108 g ha-1 Si. Silicic acid partially improved the quality of field peas of variety Mehis by increasing phosphorus and potassium concentrationsin the peas. It is suggested that foliar appliedsilicic acid may improve root growth through an improved phosphorus supply and also the water status of the plants through an improved potassium supply.