Utilization of agricultural wastes as an alternative substrate in the production of eggplant seedlings

Abstract

It was evaluated growth variables of eggplant seedlings produced in alternative substrates
with increasing levels of “moinha” (residue of the drying of the coffee beans) in substitution to
the commercial substrate. The experiment was completely randomized, with 6 treatments and
10 replicates: T1: commercial substrate (control); T2: 0% moinha (MO) + 40% carbonized rice
husk (CAC)+ 15% coconut fiber (FC)+ 5% egg shell (CO)+ 40% commercial substrate (SC);
T3: 10% MO+ 40% CAC + 15% FC+ 5% CO + 30% SC; T4: 20% MO+ 40% CAC+ 15% FC+
5% CO+ 20% SC; T5: 30% MO+ 40% CAC+ 15% FC+ 5% CO+ 10% SC; T6: 40% MO+ 40%
CAC+ 15% FC+ 5% CO+ 0% SC. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the substrates, aerial dry
matter (MSPA) and root (MSR), seedling height (AP) and stem diameter (DC) were evaluated.
It is recommended to formulate a substrate with 40% moinha, 40% charcoal rice husk, 15%
coconut fiber, 5% egg shell, replacing the commercial substrate, in the production of eggplant
seedlings.