Improving `Neoton` Tomato Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor with Compost Tea Treatment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Dept. of Plant Production and Protection, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan Tel.: +96253491111 Fax: +96253530469

Abstract

This study was conducted at the experimental station of Al-Balqa’ Applied University, Jordan to investigate the effect of compost tea on `Neoton` tomato cultivar seed germination and seedling vigor under greenhouse conditions. Seven treatments of 100 seeds each were used. The treatments were; 0:0, 1:1, 1:20, 1:40, 1:60, 1:80, 1:100 of compost: water, respectively. The seeds were germinated in a sandy loam soil mixed with rounded peat pellets (Jiffy -7) in a greenhouse with 23±1 C° temperature and 77% humidity. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications. Treating the seed with compost tea significantly reduced the number of days for germination, compared with the control treatment. The least number of days for germination (almost 3 days) was achieved by applying 1:40 compost: water. The shortening of time between seed sowing and seeding emergence is desired by vegetable growers as it gives them an advantage of earlier transplanting. Compost tea improved seedling vigor by producing taller seedlings with larger stem diameters, which lead to improved crop yield.  Accordingly, using compost tea had improved seed germination and seedling vigor of the tomato cultivar `Neoton`.  

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