Growth and development of tomato seedlings in sphagnum peat, vermiculite, and processed rice hull substrates

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum ‘Early Girl’) seedling growth was evaluated in substrates containing varying proportions of ground rice hulls. Substrates were formulated containing 0, 30, 60, and 90% ground rice hulls with one-half of the treatments also treated with a surfactant. Seedling growth in two of the ground rice hull-containing substrates was generally similar to the two controls of 90% peat or 100% vermiculite. The germination percentages for all ground rice hull-containing substrates were similar to the two controls. Ground rice hulls are a viable alternative to peat and vermiculite seedling substrates. * Matthew K. Nutt is a senior majoring in horticultural science. † Michael R. Evans, faculty mentor, is an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture.