Vermicompost as Substrate Amendment for Tomato Transplant Production

Abstract

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 (Solanum lycopersicum 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.