Evaluation of alternative substrates for the production of tomato seedlings

Abstract

The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of different alternative substrates for the production of tomato seedlings. The work was carried out in a greenhouse belonging to the Federal Institute of Alagoas, Piranhas-AL. The experimental design used was completely randomized, with eight treatments consisting of the substrates: T1: Basaplant; T2: 50% soil + 50% manure; T3: 50% soil + 50% humus; T4: 50% soil + 50% compost; T5: 33.3% soil + 33.3 manure + 33.3% humus; T6: 33.3% soil + 33.3% manure + 33.3% compost; T7: 33.3% soil + 33.3% humus + 33.3% compost and T8: 25% soil + 25% humus + 25% manure + 25% compost. The following variables were determined: shoot and root length, stem diameter, shoot and root fresh weight, shoot and root dry weight. The performance of the alternative substrate T7 provided a longer root length, differentiating and becoming more viable for the farmer to produce tomato seedlings.