Abstract

Garden compost was mixed with a peat-based growing media (Kimia, Pardis Production and Iran) at rates of 0, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 100% by volume. Garden compost increased electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of soil in the pots, which were slightly higher than the acceptable EC and pH ranges. Cucumber and tomato seeds were planted in complete randomized design with 10 replications. Different substrate combinations had significant effect on transplant characteristics. The best qualities of tomato and cucumber transplant such as plant growth, root growth, dry matter and leaf chlorophyll content were obtained from 60 and 100% compost treatments, respectively. The mean comparison between 100% compost and 100% peat treatments indicated no remarkable differences among them. Therefore, garden compost can be replaced with peat or it can be used in mixtures for seedlings production and transplanting of tomato and cucumber.

Key words: Seedling, chlorophyll content, dry matter, vegetable production.