Rabbit manure based substrate for the production of lettuce seedlings

Abstract

The use of rabbit manure can contribute to supply the growing the demand by substrates intended for the production of vegetable seedlings, This job was realized with the objective of check the use of rabbit manure as substrate to the production of lettuce seedlings, after being submitted to three different stabilization processes: vermicomposting, processing by means of Cetoniinae larvae and natural composting. Were determined the total levels, available and the proportion of the available fraction of N, Ca, Mg, P and K, the density and a porosity of the substrates. It was also checked the pH variations and of the electric conductivity of the substrates over 28 days of the seedlings development. The performance of the different substrates in the production of lettuce seedlings was evaluated through seed emergence and seedling characteristics related to shoot and root development. It can be concluded that the use of rabbit manure as substrate to lettuce seedlings production is a recommended practice, provide that it is processed by means of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida or by means of larvae of Cetoniinae.