International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 208-217 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 215 Vermicompost further contributes to seedling development due to its balanced nutrient composition, particularly the availability of phosphorus and potassium, and bioactive substances that stimulate root and shoot growth (Mahala and Sharma, 2020; Ramasami, 2023). These characteristics result in vigorous germination and growth compared to inert media such as perlite. In the case of T3 (cocopeat + perlite), although high porosity supports aeration, the lack of nutrients limits shoot development, as perlite contains negligible amounts of essential macronutrients (Hazarika et al., 2022). The improved root and shoot lengths in cocopeat + vermicompost media may be due to the enhanced mobilization of nutrients and moisture, facilitating better root development and increased photosynthate accumulation. This supports greater biomass production, as indicated by the highest fresh and dry weight in T2 (Anjanawe et al., 2013). In contrast, the control and cocopeat + perlite media provided suboptimal nutrition, resulting in lower biomass. The compactness of the control medium likely hindered root elongation, while cocopeat + perlite lacked key nutrients despite sufficient moisture availability. Biomass partitioning, as shown by the shoot-to-root biomass ratio, also favored T2, indicating that nutrient-enriched organic media encouraged both below- and above-ground growth. Organic amendments like vermicompost enhance porosity and water retention, thereby improving nutrient uptake and translocation to shoots (Gogoi and Sarma, 2015). This is consistent with Zhang et al. (2011) and Anjanawe et al. (2013), who reported a similar trend in nutrient-enriched substrates. The number of leaves per seedling, another important indicator of seedling vigor, was also highest in T2, followed by T5 (soil + vermicompost). This trend is likely due to the contribution of vermicompost’s nutrients, which support vegetative growth. Adiloğlu et al. (2018) and Lohani (2023) observed that vermicompost application increases leaf number, area, and biomass. These results align with Mahala and Sharma (2022), Periasamy and Duraisamy (2017), and Panthi et al. (2023), who reported significant increases in leaf production with vermicompost-based growing media. The superior performance of the cocopeat + vermicompost mixture aligns with studies conducted in various crops. Periasamy and Duraisamy (2017) and Atif et al. (2016) observed better seedling emergence and growth in tomatoes under vermicompost-based media. Cocopeat’s beneficial pH and electrical conductivity also support early root development, as observed in nutmeg seedlings by Abirami et al. (2010). Kalaivani and Jawaharlal (2019) noted similar effects in tomato root development due to better nutrient and water retention in cocopeat. Hazarika et al. (2022), Mathowa et al. (2016), and Panthi et al. (2023) also found positive effects of cocopeat and vermicompost on seedling development. The nutrient-rich environment promotes cell division and elongation, thereby contributing to greater seedling mass and vigor. Mualchin and Verma (2022) and Mahala and Sharma (2022) also documented reduced disease incidence and improved potassium uptake in cocopeat + vermicompost media, supporting the current findings. 5 Conclusion The findings of this study support that the choice of growing medium has a significant influence on the germination and early growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Srijana) seedlings. Among the tested media, the combination of cocopeat and vermicompost (1:1) consistently outperformed others in promoting both germination efficiency and seedling vigor. Despite the fact that cocopeat mixed with perlite improved germination percentage, it did not support seedling development as effectively, likely due to its lower nutrient level. In conclusion, it is recommended that the cocopeat-vermicompost mix is the most suitable growing medium for tomato seedling production in Kaski district's environmental conditions. Its use can lead to the development of stronger, healthier seedlings, higher transplanting success rates, and ultimately increased tomato yields. Future studies should examine the economic practicality and potential application of this mix across different agro-ecological zones in Nepal.
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