Effect of peat and sugar cane husk mixtures on passion fruit and tomato seedling production

Abstract

This work was carried out in order to verify the potential of peat and sugar cane husk mixtures for 'Rio Grande' tomato and yellow passion fruit seedling production. The treatments consisted of peat (100%), sugar cane-husks (100%) and mixtures in the following volume rates: 25,50 and 75%. The statistical design was completely randomized with 4 replicates. The tomato emergence was greater with the addition of more sugar cane-husks, which increased the porosity and aeration of the substrate. The results were, however, opposite for the passion fruit emergence, which was better as peat content increased, due to the increased water retention of the substrate. The worse seedlings for both species were obtained with peat and sugar cane-husks alone. The best treatment for passion fruit and tomato growth was the mixture at 50%, therefore being recommended as a good nursery substrate.