Title : Effect of worm castings on the vegetative development and agricultural yield of Solanum lycopersicum var. airton under seedbed and field conditions in the Sucúa Canton, Morona Santiago Province, Ecuadorian Amazon
Abstract:
The Amazon region, Ecuador's most biodiverse region, plays a key role in the country's ecological balance. However, sustainable horticultural production faces limitations such as low soil fertility, high humidity, pests, lack of infrastructure, and restricted access to organic inputs and appropriate technologies. Furthermore, deforestation and climate change affect ecosystem stability. In this context, the use of worm castings is presented as a sustainable alternative, improving soil quality, retaining moisture and providing essential nutrients, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This research aims to evaluate the effect of worm castings on the vegetative development and agricultural yield of Solanum lycopersicum variety Airton, under nursery and open-field conditions. The research was conducted in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region in the city of Sucúa, a canton of the same name, in the province of Morona Santiago. The methodology used was experimental, carried out in two stages, the first in seedbed conditions under two types of cover in five different substrates up to 35 days and the second in the open field with a randomized block design with different dosages of worm humus, for the production of tomato crops in field conditions, preliminary calculations were made in relation to the nutritional requirements of this vegetable during its biological cycle to establish the treatments to be applied. The results obtained revealed that, at the seedbed level, in each variable studied, the best treatment was the one where worm humus and soil were used in a proportion of 25% and 75% respectively under plastic cover, with an average height (16.1 cm), stem diameter (3.9 mm), number of leaves per plant (5 leaves), and the best germination. In open field conditions, the best results were obtained using a dose of worm humus of 8.8 kg/m², achieving adequate yield indicators in terms of the number of fruits per bunch (5 to 6), number of bunches per plant (5 to 6) and a yield of 29,259.0 kg / ha, which shows that under Amazonian conditions it is possible to obtain good results with the application of organic fertilizers, especially with worm humus. Its application promotes microbial biodiversity and reduces the environmental impact, promoting a more resilient and balanced agriculture.
