Vermicompost in seedling potting media can affect germination, biomass allocation, yields and fruit quality of three tomato varieties

Commercial potting media often contain substantial amounts of peat that was mined from endangered bog and fen ecosystems. The main objectives of this study were to assess (1) whether the substitution of peat by vermicompost (VC) in potting substrate affects the emergence and biomass allocation of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under greenhouse conditions and (2) whether VC amendments in seedling substrate affect tomato yields and fruit quality after plants were transplanted into equally fertilized field soil. Amended VC was produced of food and cotton waste in a windrow system by Eisenia fetida Sav. Vermicompost amendments significantly influenced, specifically for each tomato variety, emergence and biomass allocation (root:shoot ratio) of seedlings. Marketable yields of field tomatoes remained unaffected by VC amendments in seedling substrates. Peel firmness and glucose-fructose ratios of fruits were variety-specifically affected by VC amendments in seedling substrates. Results show that vermicompost could be an environmentally friendly substitute for peat in potting media with no detrimental effects on seedling performance and fruit quality.