Reuse of sand, crushed sugarcane and peanut hull-based substrates for cherry tomato cultivation

Abstract

The reuse of substrates for more than one growing season is an alternative to reduce production costs. The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield and quality fruits of the cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) grown in reused substrates. The experimental design was a complete randomized block, with a factorial array of 7 × 2 (seven substrates and two growth periods), with four replications. The seven substrates consisted of different combinations of sand (S), crushed sugarcane (CS) and peanut hull (PH). The substrates used were: S 1 = S; S 2 = [(2/3 S) + (1/3 CS)]; S 3 = [(2/3 S) + (1/3 PH)]; S 4 = [(2/3 S) + (1/6 CS) + (1/6 PH)]; S 5 = [(1/2 S) + (1/2 CS)]; S 6 = [(1/2 S) + (1/2 PH)] and S 7 = [(1/3 S) + (1/3 CS) + (1/3 PH)]. These substrates were tested as new (one growth season), and reused (two sequentially growth seasons). The cherry tomato average yield was 9.07 kg m -2 when growth on the new substrates, and 8.44 kg m -2 when growth on the reused ones. The fruit quality was not affected by the reutilization of the substrates. The average values were 6.5 °Brix for total soluble solids; 0.6 g for citric acid per 100 g for total titratable acidity and 4.2 for pH. A substrate consisting of equal parts of the three components can be recommended as a good growth medium for cherry tomato. All the substrates tested can be efficiently reused, at least once.

Reuse of substrate and nutritive solution concentration on the cultivation of salad tomato

“…A larger porosity was verified in the new substrate compared to the one utilized twice. According to Fernandes (2007), irrigation and decomposition of the organic matter and the movement of the particles by root growth decrease porosity and an increase of the density on the substrate. The decomposition of organic substrates causes a reduction on the size of particles.…”

“…The decrease of porosity and the increase of density in the reused substrates tend to higher water retention (Fernandes, 2006). A good substrate shall have, among other characteristics, 10 to 30% of aeration space and a readily available water range from 20 to 30% (Fernandes et al, 2004, Fernandes et al, 2007. Fernandes (2007) evaluated the reuse of seven substrates (blend of sand base materials, peanut shell and sugarcane bagasse), in cherry tomato (Sindy) crop and verified alteration of physical properties only in the treatment that simultaneously utilized the combination of some of them.…”

“…A good substrate shall have, among other characteristics, 10 to 30% of aeration space and a readily available water range from 20 to 30% (Fernandes et al, 2004, Fernandes et al, 2007. Fernandes (2007) evaluated the reuse of seven substrates (blend of sand base materials, peanut shell and sugarcane bagasse), in cherry tomato (Sindy) crop and verified alteration of physical properties only in the treatment that simultaneously utilized the combination of some of them. Furthermore, the increase in density and readily available water and reduction of porosity, aeration space and remaining water were noted.…”

“…The highest quantities of nutrient found in the twice reutilized substrate occurred due to the accumulation of fertilizers throughout the crops. Fernandes et al (2007) reported accumulation of nutrient after reuse when reutilized substrate in cherry tomato culture, which accumulated quantities varied as the management of the nutritive solution, specie, substrate type, climatic conditions and other factors.…”

“…Some authors studied the reuse of substrates and verified that there was a decrease on yield in two or more consecutive cropping (Reis et al, 2001;Fernandes et al, 2007;Urrestarazu et al, 2008).…”