The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of tomato and cucumber seedlings to different compositions of organic substrates formulated with compost of poultry slaughterhouse wastes, tree pruning residue, and sand. Experiments were performed in 200-cell trays in a randomized block design. The treatments for tomato seedlings were: T0 (Plantmax® HT); T1 (compost); T2 (compost + sand, proportion 3:1 weight); T3 (compost + sand, proportion 1:1 weight) e T4 (compost + sand, proportion 1:3 weight); and for cucumber seedlings were: T0 (Plantmax® HA) and the same composition of organic substrates used for tomato seedlings. Seedling emergence (EP), root length (CR), dry mass of the root (MSR), and shoot (MSPA) were evaluated. Substrates T0 and T4 provided a faster EP for tomato seedlings, thus increasing the CR. However, values of CR in these substrates did not differ from those in T2 and T3 on the 20th day after seedling emergence (DAE). There was increase in the MSPA of tomato seedlings from T4 comparing with those from T0 and T3. The MSR of the tomato seedlings from T2, T3 and T4 were higher than those from T0 e T1.The MSPA of cucumber of plants from T3 and T4 showed a higher accumulation of dry mass comparing with those from T0 e T1. The, treatments with compost had MSR higher than T0, especially T3 e T4. Therefore, the substrates T3 and T4 are recommended for cucumber seedlings and T4 for tomato seedlings.
Lycopersicon esculentum; Cucumis sativus; Plantmax®; seedling; vigor
