EFFECTS OF COCO-PEAT, VERMICOMPOST AND PRO-MIX GROWTH MEDIA ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BOULANGER (SOLANUM MELONGENA) AND TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) SEEDLINGS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The use of suitable growth medium in nurseries is necessary for the production of seedlings of excellent qualities. In light of climate change and its effects, there is an urgent need for the replacement of synthetic growth media with organic alternatives. Currently the waste of Guyana’s expanding coconut industry is posing a solid waste management issue; as such it can be converted and used as an organic growth medium in the form of cocopeat. This study sought to compare the effects of cocopeat, vermicompost, and promix growth medium on the growth and development of boulanger and tomato seedlings. Four treatments were evaluated using an experimental approach in a randomised complete block design. Data was obtained on the physical and chemical properties of the medium and the growth parameters of the seedlings. Results indicated that promix had the best bulk density and water holding capacity followed by cocopeat and then vermicompost. It was found that the mixture of vermicompost and cocopeat produced boulanger seedlings with the most leaves, widest leaves and highest fresh weight while vermicompost produced boulanger seedlings of the tallest shoots and longest leaves. On the other hand, the mixture of cocopeat and vermicompost produced tomato seedlings of the tallest shoots, longest leaves, and longest roots while vermicompost produced those with the most leaves and highest fresh weight. These were followed by the seedlings produced in cocopeat and then by those produced in promix for both boulanger and tomato. The results of this study concluded that the mixture of vermicompost and cocopeat at a 1:1 ratio is the ideal growth medium for boulanger and tomato seedling production as the vermicompost supplies the ready to use nutrients while cocopeat provides an ultimate environment for root development.