Efficiency of Vermicompost on Quantitative and Qualitative Growth of Tomato Plants

ABSTRACT: In this research, the effect of using vermicompost on growth rate, fertility and characteristics of tomatoes has been studied. Four vermicompost: soil mixture were supplied with ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 and also four different beds were provided. Total of 24 small globe tomato plants were tested and in each bed combination, six tomato plants were embedded. Rate of growth and yielding of plants grown in each of four beds were investigated in two periods of 40 days and 90 days after planting. The results showed a significant rise in growth of tomato plants by increasing ratio of vermicompost combined with soil. Obviously, the plant was mostly appeared in the main stem of the plant and there was no significant enhancement in the number of leaves. The main stem diameter, height, the number of leaves per plant, and yielding of tomato plants obtained the highest rate in four tested beds after 40 days in vermicompost to soil ratios of 1:3, 1:1, 1:3, and 1:2, respectively. In aforementioned observations some changes were made after 90 days of testing and maximum yielding and height of tomato plants were obtained in 1:1 ratio. Vitamin C and total sugar content in tomatoes increase with using vermicompost. The maximum amount of vitamin C and total sugar, soluble solids, insoluble solids and total nitrites of fresh tomato were observed in ratios of 4:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1 and 3:1, correspondingly. Key words: Vermicompost, Soil ratio,Yielding,Tomato plant,Plant growth,Organic agricultur