Abstract

DE LA CRUZ-LAZARO, E et al. Tomato production in greenhouse using compost and vermicompost as sustrate. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.1, pp.59-67. ISSN 0186-2979.

The organic production of food is an alternative for consumers that prefer food free of pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, and with a high nutritional value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate substrates prepared with mixtures of compost and vermicompost with sand, at various levels, under greenhouse conditions. The tomato hybrid SUN-7705 (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) was analized in four substrates that included compost and vermicompost mixed at three different proportions (100, 75 y 50%). The treatments were distributed in a completely randomised design with a factorial arrangement of 4×3 and five replicates. The greatest average yield (39.811 t ha^-1) was obtained with the compost generated by decomposing bovine manure, corn stover (Zea mays L.), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumacher) and black earth (CEMZT) at 75% + sand, and with the vermicompost generated by manure, bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) and black earth (VEPT) at 100 and 50% + sand. This yield was greater than that recorded for organic tomato production in the field, without affecting the quality of the fruit.

Keywords : Lycopersicon esculentum Mill; compost; vermicompost; organic agriculture; protected crop.