Rendimiento y calidad de dos genotipos de tomate, cultivado en mezclas de vermicomposta y arena, bajo condiciones de invernadero

Abstract

Yield and quality of two tomato genotypes, growing in vermicompost and river sand mixtures, under greenhouse conditions. This experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions, in order to evaluate the behavior of two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) commercial genotypes; Andre and Adela, both of indeterminate growth habits, to establish the optimum mixture of vermicompost (VC) and river sand (RS) to satisfy the nutritional needs of this crop. The sowing of seeds was made as of June 25th 2002 in a 200 cavities polystyrene tray, padded with Peat Most. The transplant was carried out on Agust 4 placing the tomato seedlings in black plastic bags of 25 kg/ea. In this experiment four mixtures of vermicompost and river sand (VC:RS) were studied: 12.5:87.5; 25:75; 37.5:62.5 and 50:50 (percent weight basis). The pots were placed in the greenhouse at two staggered rows 30 cm apart. A total of eight treatments were evaluated, two genotypes and four mixtures of VC:RS with four replicates every one. The treatments were arranged on a randomized block design and its means were compared by the LSD test (5 %). In function of the evaluated variables in the genotypes [fruit weight, equatorial and polar diameters, and soluble solids (°Brix), had highly significant differences (P £ 0.01) and the variable number of clusters significant difference (P £ 0.05)] it was determined that the genotype Andre overcame to the genotype Adela in the levels of the VC:RS mixtures, from 25:75 to 37.5:62.5 (% weight basis). Furthermore, since, as both genotypes achieve their development in the different mixtures of VC:RS, without synthetic fertilizers, is possible to conclude that the vermicompost can be used to supply the tomato crop nutrient requirement.