Using different organic wastes as growing substrate for the production of crop seedlings - An exploratory study

Purpose: This study was conducted to find a suitable growing substrate for the production of crops (corn, cotton, and canola) seedlings. Method: This experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with six treatments including different levels of organic wastes (peat moss, perlite, rotted cow manure, palm peat, vermicompost, sugarcane bagasse compost, tea waste compost) on the status of the production of corn, cotton and canola seedlings in the research greenhouse of the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj Iran in 2022. Results: The results showed that the superior substrate for the production of corn and cotton seedlings is the substrate containing tea waste compost (shoot fresh weight 4.91 and 4.31gr respectively for corn and cotton). But the superior substrate for the production of canola seedlings was the substrate containing vermicompst (shoot fresh weight 5.56 gr). Although tea waste compost has a higher production cost than other treatments, it causes seedlings to ripen up to one week early, and this partially justifies the high cost of its production. Conclusion: It is concluded that the substrates containing tea compost were more effective than the other substrates for the production of corn and cotton seedlings, while the substrates containing vermicompost were superior to the other substrates for the production of canola seedlings. However, more research on its application for different crops and under various conditions is needed to approve the results of this study. Research Highlights • A relatively higher shoot dry weight of corn and cotton seedlings is produced in tea waste compost compared to other substrates. • A relatively higher shoot dry weight of canola seedlings is produced in vermicompost compared to other substrates. • The most suitable substrate for the production of corn and cotton seedlings is the substrate containing tea waste compost. • The most suitable substrate for the production of canola seedlings is the substrate containing vermicompost. • Although tea waste compost has a higher production cost than other treatments, it causes seedlings to ripen up to one week early, and this partially justifies the high cost of its production.