Development of a growing media for producing organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in greenhouse.
Citation
C5.15. Ardakani, M.R. and M. Sharifi. 2017. Worm casting-based growing media with biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for producing organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in greenhouse. Iranian Journal of Plant Physiology 7 (3): 2083-2093
Plain language summary
Growing organic high-value vegetables and herbs in greenhouse is become increasingly popular; however, limited options are available as growing media. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of few permitted organic inputs such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, biochar and different ratios of peat: worm casting on tomato (Solanumly copersicum L.) growth, mycorrhizal dependency, biomass production, fruit yield and soil respiration. Results indicated that worm casting × peat combination significantly affected all measured traits except for the number of fruits in plant and mycorrhizal dependency. Mycorrhizal symbiosis had a significant effect only on shoot dry weight and mycorrhizal dependency. Moreover, biochar application significantly affected shoot dry weight, stem diameter and carbon mineralization. Among the different ratios of worm casting and peat in the growing media, 15% worm casting × 85% peat formed the most suitable medium condition for plants and 100% peat without worm casting was the least suitable. The highest fruit fresh weight (229 g/plant) was achieved in 15% worm casting × 85% peat and the lowest fruit fresh weight (175 g/plant) was achieved in 100% peat treatment.
Abstract
Growing organic high-value vegetables and herbs in greenhouse is become increasingly popular; however, limited options are available as growing media. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of few permitted organic inputs such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, biochar and different ratios of peat: worm casting on tomato (Solanumly copersicum L.) growth, mycorrhizal dependency, biomass production, fruit yield and soil respiration. Results indicated that worm casting × peat combination significantly affected all measured traits except for the number of fruits in plant and mycorrhizal dependency. Mycorrhizal symbiosis had a significant effect only on shoot dry weight and mycorrhizal dependency. Moreover, biochar application significantly affected shoot dry weight, stem diameter and carbon mineralization. Among the different ratios of worm casting and peat in the growing media, 15% worm casting × 85% peat formed the most suitable medium condition for plants and 100% peat without worm casting was the least suitable. The highest fruit fresh weight (229 g/plant) was achieved in 15% worm casting × 85% peat and the lowest fruit fresh weight (175 g/plant) was achieved in 100% peat treatment.