Comparison of the Perlite, Leonardite, Vermicompost and Peat Moss and Their Combinations with Cocopeat as Tomato Growing Media

Summary

Abstract Study was aimed to compare the effects of individual usage of substrates perlite, leonardite, vermicompost, and peat moos alone and their mixtures with cocopeat on the growth, yield and mineral nutrition of tomato. Each substrate was used as a control in itself, and they mixed with cocopeat at the rate of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 (V/V) and thus 17 growing media (GM) were obtained. The seedlings of tomato were planted in 7 l GM containing pots then watered during the first week, then drip-irrigated with nutrient solution. The research was arranged as a four-replication greenhouse experiment. The amount of the applied nutrient solution was adjusted manually until 10–30% leaching ratio. The highest biomass was recorded from the plants grown in solely peat moss and 1/2 cocopeat/peat moss medium,