Studies were conducted in the glasshouse of Department of Soil Cultivation and
Fertilization of Horticultural Plants, University of Life Science in Lublin. The tomato
of Admiro F1 cultivar was grown in the period from 10th February to 21st October
2008 and from 4th February to 15th October 2009 for 22 clusters at the density of
2.4 plants for 1m2. The following substrata were examined: 1) triticale straw, 2) triticale
straw + high peat (3:1 v:v), 3) triticale straw + pine bark (3:1 v:v), 4) rockwool
(100 × 20 × 7.5 cm = 15 dm3). Straw was cut into pieces (2–3 cm) and placed in rectangular
boxes 14 cm high, bottom width: 8 cm and capacity 15 dm3. During the growing
period about 70% straw has been decomposed. Evaluation of straw decomposition was
done by comparing the weight of air dry weight of straw before the experiment with the
mass after the experiment (after removal of roots). In each box/slab two plants grew.
The experiments were conducted with the use of complete randomization method in
seven repetitions.