Effect of Different Growth Media on Emergency and Growth Performance of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Seedlings at Samara University

Abstract

Melese Endeshaw Kefale, Zenebe Abebu, Yibeltal Ayana, Adamtew Alemnew and Seid Eshetu

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is a popular warm-season vegetable crop that is cultivated in the world, including Ethiopia, and is famous for its nutritional and medicinal value. This study evaluated the effect of media mixtures on the emergence and growth performance of tomato seedlings under a shade house at Samara University in the year, 2019. Eleven locally available growth media with different ratios were used. A completely randomized block design with three repetitions was used. Tomato seeds were sown with three seeds per pot to evaluate seedling emergence. Thereafter, the following growth and development parameters were measured: leaf number, plant height, root length, and 50% emergence. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that significant differences (p>0.05) in seedling emergence among the eleven-growing media for the entire study period. From this study, Sand (6 days) recorded the fastest emergence. Peat moss and Sand soil also gave significantly (p>0.05) larger leaf numbers than others; Peat moss also has potential treatment in terms of plant height. Similarly, treatment with peat moss was a potential treatment in terms of root length. Therefore, soil media Peat moss and Sand containing a mixture of a 3:1 ratio was recommended for developing tomato seedlings, as their combination improved both emergence and subsequent growth compared to the soil media used alone.

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