Nutrient absorption of eggplant seedlings cultivated in alternative substrates

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize chemically substrates composed by coconut coir fiber and powder and evaluate its effects on nutrient absorption by eggplant. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse environment during forty days, with seedlings of the cultivar Florida Market, in polyethylene trays, with 54 cells each, irrigated with a nutrient solution, twice a day. Eleven treatments, with four replications, 25 plants in each, were disposed in a randomized block design. Treatments were: 100% powder and 100% coconut fiber, 75% powder + 25% fiber and  50% powder + 50% fiber, washed and non washed; dry fiber non washed; grinded green coconut rind, washed and non washed; commercial non fertilized substrate; green coconut coir fiber, non washed and non fertilized, as control. Chemical characterization of substrata was done and total nutrient of the upper part of the plants evaluated. The best results were observed for the plants grown in the non washed coconut coin fiber, followed by commercial substrate and the washed green coconut coir fiber.