Evaluación del potencial de uso de la cascarilla de café (Coffea sp.) para la sustitución parcial de turba en sustratos de semilleros de brócoli (Brassica oleracea) y lechuga (Lactuca Sativa)

Abstract

In the present work, the potential use of coffee husks (Coffea sp.) as a partial substitute for peat in the preparation of substrates for broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedlings was evaluated. The research was carried out in a greenhouse of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Cuenca, where substrates were prepared with different proportions of coffee husks (25%, 50% and 75%) in substitution of peat and compared with a commercial peat substrate. The results of the physical and chemical analyses indicate that the incorporation of coffee husks significantly improves water retention, porosity and cation exchange capacity. On the other hand, the results showed that the seedlings developed in the combinations with 25% and 50% coffee husks presented higher yields. However, in the 75% coffee husk combination, a reduction in germination rate and initial seedling development was observed. In addition, coffee husks as a partial substitute for peat turned out to be more expensive. This work also shows that coffee husks can be a viable alternative for horticultural production; it also addresses the problem of agricultural waste management, analyzing the alternative of partial substitution of peat, promoting a more responsible agriculture aligned with the principles of sustainability.