Morphophysiological comparison of seedlings of Solanum lycopersicum obtained with substrate in tray

Abstract

The seedbed phase is decisive in the use of quality seedlings for transplanting. This research aimed to evaluate the differentiated vegetative response of tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to two substrates under tray conditions. The experiment was carried out at the University of Pinar del Río, Cuba. The cultivars 'Celeste', 'Desquite', 'Grandioso' and 'Radiante' were used in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement (factors: substrate and cultivar). The substrates were made from Fersialitic soil, organic materials (humus or peat) and rice husks. Sowing was carried out in trays with 40 alveoli (tubes), with a capacity for 70 g of substrate each. The substrates used guaranteed adequate morphophysiological development of tomato seedlings, regardless of the cultivar evaluated, although 'Desquite' presented the lowest absolute growth rate. With the use of the substrate based on soil, humus and rice husk, the number of seedlings useful for transplanting increased by 5%, which guarantees a reduction in the number of trays and volume of substrate used in this phase of crop.