THE LEVEL OF ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN THE SOIL OF SEEDLINGS

One of the most important elements in the process of growing vegetables is the production of seedlings, for which the soil (substrate) the plants are grown on is a crucial factor.
Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the level of essential elements and microbial activity in the soil (substrate) used to produce seedlings in plastic tunnels.

To investigate the parameters, samples were taken from the soil in the plastics, from the substrate of the boxes intended for the production of seedlings, and, finally, from the compost used to fill the boxes and cover the seeds in the soil.
Results regarding some of the parameters indicate that the fertility of the soil for seedling plants was high.

The amount of humus in the tunnel soil ranged from 7.1 to 9.5% and that in the compost – filled boxes from 13.8 to 16.4%.

The degree of essential elements varied as well.
It ranged from a level of good supply to toxic levels (17,5 – 480,7 mg (NH₄+NO₃) – N; 210 – 260 mg P₂O₅/100 g and 80 – 450 mg K₂O/100 g). An increase in the number of ammonifiers and oligonitroilic bacteria indicated that the microbial mineralization of organic matter was extensive.

I Balkan Symposium On Vegetables and Potatoes

B. Darinka, C. Maja

soil, substrate, compost, macronutrients, micronutrients, seedlings, microbial abundance

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.462.65