Use of organic substrates on the quality of watermelon seedlings

ABSTRACT Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a succulent fruit and vine-like plant that cultivated in Mexico it generates employment currency for the country. However, there need to research what local organic substrates can substitute peat moss as culture medium produce watermelon seedlings of good quality at low cost. The objective this study was evaluate physical chemical properties five substitutes commercial substrate “Peat Moss”, production two cultivars, Sun Sweet Jubilee. Five were studied: cacao husk, compost, vermicompost, bovine manure, coconut fiber Moss” control. response variables percentage germination, indicators morphological indexes, stability clod, relative efficiency substrates. best index found with husk seedling similar those obtained substrate. Compost presented lowest clod efficiency. vermicompost addition being easy obtain cost; so they are viable alternative rural farmers seedlings.