Reuse of agricultural waste as an alternative substrate in the production of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) seedlings

Abstract

Seedling formation is one of the most important phases for the eggplant crop cycle. One of the decisive factors for obtaining quality seedlings and the consequent increase in productivity is the type of substrate used. The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth of eggplant seedlings grown in alternative substrates with increasing levels of “moinha” (residue from the coffee dry milling process) replacing the commercial substrate. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with six treatments and ten replicates. The treatments were: T1: commercial substrate (control); T2: 0% moinha (MO) + 40% burnt rice husk (BRH) + 15% coconut fiber (CF) + 5% eggshell (ES) + 40% commercial substrate (CS); T3: 10% MO + 40% BRH + 15% CF + 5% ES + 30% CS; T4: 20% MO + 40% BRH + 15% CF + 5% ES + 20% CS ; T5: 30% MO + 40% BRH + 15% CF + 5% ES + 10% CS; T6: 40% MO + 40% BRH + 15% CF + 5% ES + 0% CS. The electrical conductivity of the substrates and the seedling total dry mass, plant height and stem diameter were evaluated. It is recommended to use the substrate containing 20% MO + 40% BRH + 15% CF + 5% ES + 20% CS.