Abstract

ACEVEDO-ALCALA, Patricia; TABOADA-GAYTAN, Oswaldo-Rey  and  CRUZ-HERNANDEZ, Javier. Characteristics of organic fertilizers and manures for use as substrate components. Acta Agron. [online]. 2020, vol.69, n.3, pp.234-240.  Epub Aug 23, 2021. ISSN 0120-2812.  https://doi.org/10.15446/acag.v69n3.84508.

Peat is a moss commonly used as a substrate in the propagation of seedlings, but its extraction generates negative effects on the environment. To replace or reduce their use, organic amendments can be applied as substrate components, but must comply with quality parameters established in official standards. The objective was to characterize physically, chemically, biologically and microbiologically two commercial organic fertilizers (Solep, Fernatol), two manures (cattle, sheep) and Peat moss for use as substrate components in seedling production. At Campus Puebla in Colegio de Postgraduados, México, in samples of each material, it was measured in triplicate: bulk density, percentage of pores, particle size, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon (C), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), C/N ratio, content of extractable and assimilable nutrients and heavy metals; also, a microbiological analysis was performed as a safety parameter and the phytotoxicity of extracts at 20% was estimated by germination bioassay with radish seeds (Raphanus sativus L) as an indicator species of the presence of phytotoxic substances. Analysis of variance, Tukey mean comparison test (P<0.05) was performed and the results were compared with established national and international substrate standards. Solep fertilizer and cattle manure presented adequate values of pH, EC, OM, C/N, assimilable sodium, heavy metals and absence of E. coli and Salmonella, therefore these amendments can be considered appropriate for use as substrate components in the seedling production, but according to the phytotoxicity bioassays, the fertilizers or manure characterized should not be applied in proportions greater than 20% as a substrate component.

Keywords : Compost; Germination; Heavy metals; Organic amendments; Phytotoxicity.

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