Evaluation of Sugarcane Agroindustrial Wastes as Substrate in Soilless Cultivation of Tomato (<i>S. lycopersicum</i> Linnaeus): Effect of Substrate Composition on Yield Production

Traditionally, biochar is generally proposed to substitute Canadian <i>Sphagnum</i> peat moss. Sugarcane bagasse, filter press mud and sugarcane bagasse ash were mixed in different ratios and proposed as an alternative to substitute commercial <i>Sphagnum</i> peat moss (SPM)...

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Main Authors: Vanessa Natalie Orta-Guzmán, Jorge Aurelio Lois-Correa, Miguel Antonio Domínguez-Crespo, Joel Pineda-Pineda, Aidé Minerva Torres-Huerta, Adela Eugenia Rodríguez-Salazar, Ángeles Iveth Licona-Aguilar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/2/206
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Summary:Traditionally, biochar is generally proposed to substitute Canadian <i>Sphagnum</i> peat moss. Sugarcane bagasse, filter press mud and sugarcane bagasse ash were mixed in different ratios and proposed as an alternative to substitute commercial <i>Sphagnum</i> peat moss (SPM) for the soilless cultivation of tomato (<i>S. lycopersicum</i> Linnaeus). The choice of the agroindustrial waste ratio was performed from physical-chemical sample characterization. During vegetable production, an adequate ratio was evaluated based on plant height, substrate pH, number of leaves, yield, and fruit size. The addition of essential macro- and micro-nutrients was performed manually. The results show that as-received materials contain different minerals with a structure that corresponds to the quartz, cristobalite, and feldspar phases. A morphology composed of lamellate structures was observed for sugarcane bagasse, whereas the filter press mud and the sugarcane bagasse ash presented compact agglomerates with a surface area of 1.60, 3.78, and 1.07 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The properties of each component promote the water adsorption, retention and releasing capacity. Important differences were observed as the quantity of filter press mud increased, but also it is required an amount of sugarcane bagasse above of 18 wt% to reach a superior performance. This work demonstrated that, in adequate quantities, agroindustrial wastes can be used as a soilless substrate for growing tomatoes in greenhouse, reducing their disposal problems.
ISSN:2073-4395