title: Use of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) as a growing medium in the nursery production of tomato plants.
abstract: Five media prepared from old peat (OP), white peat (WP) and municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) were used to determine optimum growing media for tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv "Atletico"). The mixtures of substrates used were: OP (65%)+WP (30%)+perlite (5%), OP (65%)+MSWC (30%)+perlite (5%), WP (65%)+OP (30%)+perlite (5%), WP (65%)+MSWC (30%)+perlite (5%), MSWC (65%)+WP (30%)+perlite (5%). Various seedling indices were measured in order to assess the quality of the nursery-produced plant. Nursery-produced tomato seedlings grown in WP (65%)+MSWC (30%) displayed quality indices similar to those recorded for conventional mixtures of old and white peat sphagnum, due to a correct balance between the compost nutrient supply and the porosity and aeration provided by white peat.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias y Recursos Agrícolas y Forestales, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio C-4 Celestino Mutis, Ctra de Madrid, km 396, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Chica
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López Bellido
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000254:growth & development*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012987:Soil; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium