A Study of Different Levels of Vermicompost and Phosphorus on Growth and Development and as well on some Element's Absorption in Tomato Transplants

An investigation was conducted on the effects of vermicompost as an organic matter and a substitute for fertilizers during year 2007 in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM). Vermicompost was applied at five levels (0, 10, 25, 50, 100%) and phosphorus at two levels with 3 replications for each treatment, as a Factorial based on Completely Randomized Design for super strain B tomato cultivar. The results indicated that seed germination occurred earlier in the 25% vermicompost treatment. The transplant diameter, length as well as its chlorophyll content were higher in the 50% vermicompost content as compared to control. Leaf Area Index (LAI) was highest in the 25% content treatment. Zinc at 100% with Fe, Cu, and Mn at 50% level of vermicompost showed their highest absorption by transplants. Phosphorus absorption increased by increase in the levels of vermicompost. The moisture precent of root and foliar was more than other treatments in 100% vermicompost treatment at planting time. The first flowering occurred earliest in the 25% level of vermicompost treatment. First fruits appeared in the 25 and 50 % vermicompost level treatments. The highest root moisture was observed in 100 perecent vermicompost treatments.