Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Horticulture

Committee Chair

Sven Verlinden.

Abstract

In order to find appropriate methods to produce quality organic tomato transplants, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. WV '63) seedlings were grown in four growing media containing various ratios of composted animal manure and were compared to transplants grown in a conventional peat-lite mix receiving synthetic fertilizers. These five media were watered according to eight watering regimes, including five watering levels and three watering regimes containing compost tea. Composted horse and cow manure can be used in part or instead of peat in organic potting mixes. The ratio of compost used will depend on characteristics of the compost and will also determine the effect of the watering regime on the growth of tomato transplants. In this study, compost tea was not found to have a significant impact the growth of tomato transplants.

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