Evaluación de alternativas a la utilización de turba en semilleros de cultivos de ciclo corto bajo invernadero

Abstract

In recent years, large-scale vegetable production has increased, which represents an increase in yields. This increase is mainly due to the application of greenhouse production systems that help improve crop yields, but demand and depend on agrochemicals and imported inputs that have high prices and their production generates pollution. Therefore, the main objective of this project was to characterize different proportions of local raw materials as an alternative to reduce the use of peat as the main component of horticultural substrates that allow producers to obtain quality seedlings, and this way not to depend on synthetic components of high economic value. Four alternative substrates were evaluated in different proportions (0, 25, 50 and 75%) in 3 species of vegetables (Melon, Cherry Tomato and Lettuce). After preparing the mixtures of the substrates, the initial physical (moisture retention), chemical (pH, electrical conductivity) and biological (free of pathogens and weeds) characterization of each substrate was carried out. Germination trays with 98 holes were used for melon and cherry tomato and 200 holes for lettuce. The evaluation of the development of tomato, lettuce and melon seedlings was carried out at 60 days (total height, number of developed leaves, stem diameter, leaf area, aerial and root biomass). The results obtained were similar in most of the parameters evaluated to the control treatment (peat) with a reduction of up to 75%.