Abstract
<p>Vermicompost may be a promising substitute for peat especially in transplant production. Vermicomposting is a sustainable solution for management of organic wastes. However, due to variability of organic wastes, vermicomposts might have varying nutrient content levels. The study compared vermicomposts from different sources on growth and nutrition of tomato (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em> L.) transplants. Chemical composition of vermicomposts differed. Common characteristics were high pH and very high electrical conductivity. All vermicomposts stimulated growth of tomato transplants, with up to a 2.2-fold increase occurring in shoot biomass. Differences in growth were attributed mainly to differences in nutrient content of the potting mixtures, but some changes in physical and biological properties of the substrate could also be responsible.</p>
Highlights
Profitability of high-value crops, such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) necessitates detail cultural management to ensure crop required growing conditions
The commercial products tested were: 1) Biohumus MM (Ecofarm Marinov ECO, Kujlevcha, Bulgaria) produced in northeastern Bulgaria in which fresh manure was settled for 3-4 months under anaerobic conditions, 80% cow dung and 20% horse dung were added to beds (1-2 m W×0.4-0.5 m H×varying L)
Earthworms had been active at least one year and the final product was sieved through 5 mm mesh; 2) Biohumus NN (Ecofarm Nikolova, Panayot Volov, Bulgaria) produced in northeastern Bulgaria in which 4-5 month old cattle dung was placed in beds (2×0.4-0.5×up to 25 m, W×H×L) - earthworms had been active for approximately one year, and the final product sieved through 5 mm mesh; 3) Chirpan vermicompost (Ecofarm Velkov, Chirpan, Bulgaria) was produced in southcentral Bulgaria in which partially decomposed cattle manure was applied to beds (1×1×up to 20 m, W×L×H) - the earthworms had been active from April to the end of November and the final product was not sieved; 4) Lumbrical
Summary
Profitability of high-value crops, such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) necessitates detail cultural management to ensure crop required growing conditions. Production of high quality transplants is a key factor for success. Adequate root and aerial biomass of tomato transplants assure an improved ability to exploit soil resources and higher photosynthetic capacity. Potential consequences are enhanced crop yield and improved fruit quality (Zaller, 2007; Lazcano, Arnold, Tato, Zaller, & Domíngues, 2009). The choice of growing media is considered a challenge for production of seedlings for transplanting. Peat is widely used as a component of potting mixes in conventional and organic production but increased concern has risen due to exploitation of these slowly renewable natural resources and degradation of valuable peatland ecosystems (Lappalainen, 1996; Carlile, 2004). Increasing pressure against peat extraction and the demand for low cost substrates leads to an increasing interest on substituting peat with other materials
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