VERMICOMPOST AS A SUSTITUTE SUBSTRATE IN TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.) GERMINATION

Interest in using the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Savigny, 1826) to transform decomposing organic resources into vermicompost has led to options for use of this resource and to benefits for agriculture, as in the production of tomato seedlings for transplanting. The vermicompost used for germinating tomato seeds was made with cattle manure and plant residues. The vermicompost was then mixed with a commercial substrate (Peat Moss LM2) in proportions of 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 and 0%. Plants were irrigated with water enriched with N or P. The initial effect of vermicompost was noticed on germination rate with doses between 40 and 70%; these doses also accelerated growth and production of plants for transplanting with thicker stems, more true leaves and larger root volume. The plants irrigated with enriched water increased nitrogen content in the true leaves. Vermicompost improves plant quality for transplant and reduces production time, thus decreasing tomato plant production costs.