Different Growth Media Effect the Germination and Growth of Tomato Seedlings

Abstract

Effect of peat, compost (vegetable waste) and traditional practicing media (soil, sand and farmyard manure) alone and in combinations, was examined on the quality of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at Directorate of Vegetable, DHRD, NARC, Islamabad, during 2013-14. Germination and several seedling quality variables, like, days to emergence, shoot length, height, vigor index, dry matter accumulation and benefit cost ratio, were monitored. Maximum germination percentage (95), seedlings shoot length (26.67 cm), seedling height (35 cm), seedling vigor index (3325) and minimum days to emergence (15.33) were observed in T 9 (peat, compost and traditional practicing media in 1:1:1 ratio). Maximum dry matter accumulation (34.80%) was recorded in T 1 (peat). Maximum benefit cost ratio (2.70) is calculated for T 0 : traditional practicing media (soil, sand and farmyard manure in 1:1:1 ratio). Optimum growth of tomato seedlings was observed when peat, compost and traditional practicing media were used in equal proportions.

Critical values of alternative organic amendments on kiwi seedling growth

“…The improvement in growth-attributing traits of kiwi seedlings produced as a result of compost mixture may be due to the balance value of OM and organic nutrients and the enhanced decomposition of OM in the compost and its mineralization and sustainable release of nutrients availability to the plants roots (Ojo et al 2014). Atif et al (2016) in tomato and Riaz et al (2008) in Zinnia elengons reported positive effect of using compost, PM and traditionally practicing soil and recorded the highest seedlings germination, seedlings height, seedling vigor index in those treatments where compost, PM, and traditionally practicing soil were used in equivalent ratio. The data also revealed that compost in all combination resulted in better seedlings growth compared to PM (Fig.…”

“…Organic matter (OM) such as compost and peat moss (PM) are two natural soil conditioners commonly used by gardeners in many countries of the world for improving the fertility and physical properties of their garden soil (GS) (Atif et al 2016).…”

“…Due to its high salt buffering capacity, good aeration quality, high nutrient exchange capacity, low bulk density (BD) and appropriate physical properties, PM is one of the basic components of potting media for seedling production in nurseries (Molitor and Bruckner 1997). However, due to its high price (Atif et al 2016) and environmental constrains associated with PM extraction that may destroy the fragile ecosystem (Schmilewski 2009), the demand for replacement of PM with alternative organic amendment such as compost has been increased (Cegli et al 2015). Several studies have reported the possibility of vegetable waste composts, municipal solid wastes compost, animal manure compost, green waste compost, agro-industrial compost and wood, leaves and decayed plants mater compost as alternative substrates for the production of horticultural seedlings in nurseries (Ceglie et al 2011).…”

“…The humus gradually releases the plant nutrients and safeguards their availability for utilization by the plants over a long period of time. Several studies have reported improvement in soil chemical and physical properties (soil pH, electrical conductivity [EC], OM, organic nutrients, BD, and porosity) by the incorporation of compost in growth media and its subsequent beneficial impact on root formation and growth of plants (Ceglie et al 2015;Atif et al 2016).…”

Tomato transplants grown on mixtures suitable for organic production

“…While the plants grown in mixtures with ZE were significantly higher than those grown in standard substrates S2 and S3, the differences between standard growing media S1 and zeolite based mixtures (except M4) were not significant. Using compost, peat and traditional mixtures for growing media preparation, Atif et al (2016) recorded average tomato seedlings height from 19.1 to 35.0 cm. According to Ilin et al (2003), the average height for well-developed tomato transplants should be between 20 and 35 cm.…”