Abstract

GARBANZO - LEON, Gabriel  and  VARGAS - GUTIERREZ, Marlen. Physicochemical determination of ten substrate mixtures of seedlings for production in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. InterSedes [online]. 2014, vol.15, n.30, pp.151-168. ISSN 2215-2458.

The effect of ten physicochemical substrate mixtures was determined for the production of vegetable seedlings in the Guanacaste area. There were 50% bocashi mixtures, compost and vermicompost with 25% coconut fiber, pellets, sand and soil solarization. The variables measured were physical granulometry,% retention of water, porosity and bulk density, also was analyzed saturated paste extract and its effect on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants. It was found that mixtures with organic materials showed a proportional relationship with the porosity and water holding capacity, particle size 40% showed diameters between 8.0 mm - 2.0 mm between the mixtures whereas manure soil mixtures showed 75% between 2.0 mm and 0.25 mm. The adobe consistency extraction was lesser in mixtures with sand and soil solarized. We concluded that mixtures with coconut husk fiber provided the higher porosity in substrates. By contrast, the ground sand mixtures provided the less porosity and higher bulk density. Furthermore, substrates with higher mass density had the lowest root growth and less consistency of adobe, the peat moss showed lower concentrations of nutrients compared to other mixtures.

Keywords : Nurseries; horticulture; physicochemical; coconut fiber; bokashi; compost; mulch; tomato.

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