Tomato seedlings production using substrates with coconut fiber and rock wasteA greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the ratio of coconut fiber and rock waste, in the tomato seedling production (cultivar Kada Gigante), in Montes Claros, Brazil. The experimental design was of randomized complete blocks with four replicates. The treatments were composed of a control and six ratios of coconut fiber (FC) and rock waste (RG): T1 - Commercial Substrate Hortimix®; T2 - 0% FC + 100% RG; T3 - 20% FC + 80% RG; T4 - 40% FC + 60% RG; T5 - 60% FC + 40% RG; T6 - 80% FC + 20% RG; T7 - 100% FC + 0% RG. The cultivation was done in polystyrene trays with cells of 3.5 x 3.5 x 5,0 cm. Stem diameter, seedling height, emergency speed index, emergency percentage, root and aerial part of fresh and dry matter were evaluated. In almost all the evaluated characteristics the commercial substrate was better than the substrates containing coconut fiber and rock waste. Among the substrates containing coconut fiber and rock waste, the seedlings with better characteristics were obtained with a mixture of approximately 70% of the volume of coconut fiber.
Lycopersicum esculentum; marble residues; recycling
