Department of Plant Sciences

Several experiments were set up to see the effects of several mycorrhiza species and compost treatments on horticultural seedling quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various compost (14 different composts) material applications on tomato and pepper seedling quality, growth and nutrient uptake. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science, Adana, Turkey. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design in three replications. Ground (< 1mm) basaltic tuff (18%), andesitic tuff (10%) and rock phosphate (2%) were added to compost (70%) used as organic fertilizer. Two growth media (organic fertilizer:soil:sand at 1:1:1 V/V and andesitic tuff:soil:organic fertilizer at 6:3:1 V/V) were used for seedling production. Plants were inoculated with G. caledonium; a level of 1000-spores per pot was placed 3 cm below the seeds. Non-mycorrhizal plants also received the same amount of mycorrhizal spore free medium. The result showed that compost materials contained different amounts of nutrients. Tomato and pepper seedlings showed different responses to each compost material. The results also showed that the mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased plant length and diameter. Plants had better growth and responded to the mycorrhizal inoculation in 6:3:1 (v/v) more than in 1:1:1 (v/v) growth media. Mycorrhizal inoculation also increased root colonization depending on compost materials. Mycorrhizal inoculation had different effects on plant growth and nutrient uptake depending on compost material. Domestic waste, animal fertilizers (cows and sheep), chicken manure, different plant materials and mushroom waste were determined to be the most suitable compost material for plant growth.