The present study evaluated the phytotoxicity effect of goat manure (GM) collected from six different regions in South Korea, namely, Chupungnyeong (T1), Hoengseong (T2), Goesan (T3), Sancheong (T4), Jangsu (T5) and Namwon (T6). Phytotoxicity was assessed by means of the analysis of germination index (GI), relative seed germination (RSG), relative root elongation (RRE) and vigor index (VI) using five commercial crop varieties, namely, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.), carrot (Daucus carota), radish (Raphanus sativus) and cabbage (Brassica rapa). Physico-chemical parameter values were recorded at appreciable levels in all GM extracts. The effect of seedling growth was significantly different (p ≤ .05) due to the variability of nutrient content and phytotoxic effect of the extracts on the different crop seeds. Of the extracts, Goesan (T3) and Sancheong (T4) recorded the best results in the range of GI (%) (54.1-128.8) and VI (930.7-1044) and GI (%) (70.1-167.3) and VI (609.2-3034), respectively, and also showed no inhibitory effect in any of the crop seeds. Overall results also revealed that radish crops showed excellent and non-phytotoxic results in all manure extracts compared to the other crops.
Keywords: Goat manure; crop seeds; germination index; nutrient quality; phytotoxic effect.