Summary
This greenhouse trial evaluated six growth media formulations combining vermicompost (VC), rice husk ash, and coconut fibre for tomato production. Increasing vermicompost proportion significantly enhanced plant height and stem diameter, with optimal yield achieved at 60–80% vermicompost content. Vermicompost-amended media also improved fruit quality, reducing pH and acidity whilst increasing soluble solids and vitamin C relative to the control treatment.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in a greenhouse setting with specific tropical or subtropical growing media components (rice husk ash, coconut fibre), which may limit direct applicability to United Kingdom field or greenhouse practice. However, the principle of vermicompost incorporation as a soil amendment for yield and quality enhancement is transferable to UK horticulture, though performance would require validation with locally available growing media and UK tomato varieties.
Key measures
Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, fruit yield, fruit pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, vitamin C concentration
Outcomes reported
The study measured effects of vermicompost-based growth media on plant morphology (height, stem diameter, leaf count), fruit yield, and fruit quality parameters (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, vitamin C) in two tomato varieties at 100 days after transplanting.
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