Effects of Vermicompost Substrates and Coconut Fibers Used against the Background of Various Biofertilizers on the Yields of Cucumis melo L. and Solanum lycopersicum L.

Abstract

Vermicompost has been promoted as a viable substrate component owing to its physicochemical properties, nutrient richness, and status as an excellent soil improver. It is considered the best organic fertilizer and is more eco-friendly than chemical fertilizers. Plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) are defined as plant biofertilizers that improve nutritional efficiency—that is, they transform nutrients within substrates from organic to inorganic forms, making them available for plants. The main objective of this research study is to evaluate the effects of the application of three PGPM microbial consortia on different mixtures of organic substrates based on vermicompost (V) and coconut fiber (CF) on two different horticultural crops. We performed a yield analysis and drainage nutrient tests and determined the plant nutritional status and enzymatic activity in organic substrates based on the two crops, Cucumis melo L. and Solanum lycopersicum L. A multivariate analysis of variance and principal component analysis was conducted using substrate types and PGPMs as factors. Differences (p < 0.05) in yield, dehydrogenase activity, the nutrient concentrations in a petiole sap, and drainage were observed at 30, 60, 75, and 90 days after transplant. PGPMs such as Trichoderma sp. and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in organic substrates (40V + 60CF) can significantly improve the nutritional status of plants for use in organic soilless container agriculture. Biofertilization with PGPMs and suitable mixtures of organic substrates together with aqueous extracts (tea) of vermicompost, as nutrient solutions applied by fertigation, has allowed us to achieve an adequate level of production through environmentally friendly techniques. The results obtained allowed us to affirm that it was possible to replace conventional fertilization using chemical products and ensure adequate crop nutrition by supplying the main macronutrients.

Effects of Different Water Storage and Fertilizer Retention Substrates on Growth, Yield and Quality of Strawberry

“…This phenomenon might arise from the fact that the addition of water-retaining materials increases the number of microorganisms in the matrix. At the same time, vermicompost boasts favorable physical and chemical properties that facilitate microbial reproduction [54,55] and then improve enzyme activity. Different proportions of coconut bran also had different effects on the activities of matrix enzymes.…”

Aquaporins-mediated water availability in substrates for cannabis cultivation in relation to CBD yield.

“…Soilless greenhouse agriculture focuses on the development of new substrates that are pro table, renewable and sustainable in order to facilitate sustainable agricultural production. Thus, it is necessary to identify organic substrates capable of sustaining e cient crop production (Mejía et al 2022). An adequate substrate is essential to provide the necessary physical and chemical properties for the speci c plant or crop and its optimal growth conditions (Burgel et al 2020;Ortiz-Delvasto et al 2023).…”

Nutrient Solution from Aqueous Extracts as an Alternative to Fertigation in Hydroponic

“…We have compost or vermicompost teas (aqueous extracts) that have been shown to promote plant health and increase the yield and quality of fruits, aromatic plants, and flowers because they contain beneficial microorganisms that promote the absorption of essential nutrients in the form of ions [9,10]. Additionally, they are used as organic fertilizers because they contain high microbial loads (plant growth promotion microorganisms, PGPM) that increase the solubility of nutritional elements and promote plant growth [8,11,12].…”

“…However, although aqueous extracts have a high microbial load and a high concentration of nutritional elements [9], in general, they are not balanced as nutrient solutions for fertigation [3], and a large number of nutritional elements are in their organic forms and are not available to plants [13][14][15]. Recent work carried out by our research team [9,12,16] shows that it is possible to find a more or less balanced nutrient solution for horticultural crops based on modifications in the preparation process of the aqueous extract depending on the type of organic matter used for preparation. According to the results, it is possible to solubilize and/or mineralize the nutrients present in organic forms in the aqueous extracts during the production process [9] and use them as a nutrient solution for soilless crops in containers [8,12,16].…”

“…Recent work carried out by our research team [9,12,16] shows that it is possible to find a more or less balanced nutrient solution for horticultural crops based on modifications in the preparation process of the aqueous extract depending on the type of organic matter used for preparation. According to the results, it is possible to solubilize and/or mineralize the nutrients present in organic forms in the aqueous extracts during the production process [9] and use them as a nutrient solution for soilless crops in containers [8,12,16].…”