Determination of changes in tomato seedling quality parameters with some physicochemical properties of different media used in seedling cultivation

In this study, it was aimed to determine the changes in some physicochemical properties of different media used in seedling cultivation and tomato (Solanum lycopersicon cv.) seedling quality parameters. In the research as a growing medium; Propotional mixtures of peat, diatomite, zeolite and vermicompost were used. In this study, pole type KAYR F1 tomato type was used as tomato variety. No nutrients and fertilizers were added to the experiment and only (ml) water was given to each medium according to the request of the plant. At the end of the 45-day trial period; the amount of water content of medium in different tension values (pF0, pF1.30, pF1.66, pF1.77, pF1.90, pF2.00), field capacity, wilting point, pH and EC values, volume weight, cation exchange capacity (CEC), seed germination percentage (%), seedling length (cm), root length (cm), stem diameter (mm), seedling fresh and dry weight (gr), fresh and dry root weight (gr) and chlorophyll content of seedling was examined. According to the obtained results, it was determined that O8 is the best medium was the in seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, fresh root weight, dry root weight parameters. The best seedling height was determined to be in O4 medium. The length of the seedling root lengths were found not significant. The best germination percentage was determined in O1 (100% peat) medium. The best chlorophyll content was determined in O6 medium. When the pF curves were examined, the amount of useful water was obtained from O1 (Peat 100%) medium while the lowest amount of water was obtained from O6 (70% Peat + 15% Diatomite + 15% Vermicompost).The highest saturation rate was obtained from O4 (80% Peat + 20% Vermicompost) with 59.41%, while the lowest saturation rate was obtained from O7 (70% Peat + 15% Zeolite + 15% Diatomite) with 44.64%. The research findings showed that the O8 environment is advantageous in terms of seedling development, yield and quality and can be used easily in seedling culture in soilless culture.