Cherry tomato growth was evaluated using substrates composed of sand, crushed sugar cane and peanut bark, in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was the complete randomized block with seven substrates and four replications. The seven substrates were made up of different combinations of sand (S), crushed sugar cane (CSC) and peanut bark (PB): S1 = S; S2 = 2/3 S + 1/3 CSC; S3 = 2/3 S + 1/3 PB; S4 = 2/3 S + 1/6 CSC + 1/6 PB; S5 = 1/2 S + 1/2 CSC; S6 = 1/2 S + 1/2 PB e S7 = 1/3 S + 1/3 CSC + 1/3 PB. The evaluated parameters were submitted to a variance analysis and averages were compared by the Tukey test, at 5% probability level. The bulk density (BD), aeration space (AS) and easily available water (EAW) values were different. Bulk density ranged from 790 to 1604 kg m-3; AS, from 2 to 21%; and EAW, from 14 to 25%. No difference was observed among the cherry tomato yield obtained from the different substrates, which varied from 8.5 to 10.7 kg m-2. Both crushed sugar cane and peanut bark can be used to compose the substrates based on sand for the cherry tomato growth.
Lycopersicon esculentum; greenhouse; soilless cultivation; physical properties; fertigation
