Resumen

BRACHO, Javier; PIERRE, Francis  y  QUIROZ, Ana. Characterization of local growing media for vegetable plantlet production in Lara State, Venezuela. Bioagro [online]. 2009, vol.21, n.2, pp.117-124. ISSN 1316-3361.

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate some physical and chemical properties of nine materials of local origin with potential use as substrate component for vegetable plantlet production: coconut sawdust (AC), fresh sugar cane waste pulp (BCF), composted sugar cane waste pulp (BCC), milled or non milled coffee parchment (PCM or PC), rice hulls (CA), wooden sawdust (ASM), river peat moss (TR), and the commercial products Capriabono, Promix, Sogemix, and Biolan. The properties of total porosity (PT), air - filled porosity (PA), water holding capacity (CRH), bulk density (DA), particle density (DPA), electric conductivity (CE) and pH were evaluated under a complete randomized design with 12 treatments and 3 repetitions. The CA, PC and TR showed limitations for two or more properties; BCF and ASM registered limitations in pH. Capriabono registered limitations due to PT, PA and CE. The commercial peat moss registered appropriate values for all the evaluated properties, except for Biolan that showed values of PA under the range. Positive correlations were detected in PT vs. PA; DA vs. DPA; CE vs. DA, and CE vs. DPA. Likewise, negative correlations were detected in PT vs. DA, PT vs. DPA, PT vs. CE, and PA vs. CRH. The best materials with potential use as substrate component were BCC and PCM for presenting values within the range considered as optimum according to the specialized literature.

Palabras clave : Horticultural substrates; physical and chemical properties; plant propagation.