Document Type : Research Article
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Abstract
Two separate experiments were carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of vermicompost and its aqueous extracts on traits related to germination and growth of tomato varieties, (Mobil and Superorbina). In the first experiment, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 100% extracts of vermicompost (V - V) along with control (distilled water) were studied on germination of two varieties of tomato. The number of germinated seeds was counted each day and was sampled after a week. Then, the percentage and rate of germination and length and dry weight of shoot and root were determined. In the second experiment, volume ratios of vermicompost to sand, including to, 0:100; 10:90; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40; 80:20 and 100: 0, on tomato varieties seedling growth were investigated. The seeds were planted in plastic pots and the sampling of seedlings was carried out 22 days after planting. Both experiments were conducted in Completely Random Design with four replications. The results showed that vermicompost extract could not improve the growth of Mobil and Superorbina varieties, whereas application of vermicompost, had a significant effect on plant height, area and dry weight of leaves, stem dry weight, area, diameter and dry weight of roots and the concentration of potassium, calcium and phosphorus in tomato leaves. These results confirm that using low ratios of vermicompost, have more effect on the growth of tomato seedlings rather than high ratios, so that the maximum effect of vermicompost were recorded in the ratios of 20 and 40 % for Mobil and Superorbina varieties, respectively. In this experiment, high vermicompost ratios had a negative effect on growth of tomato seedlings.
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