AUTUMN-GROWING OF TOMATO ON RECYCLED POLYURETHANE (PU)

In the harvest period from 22/9 to 12/11/1986 yields of 9.5 kg/m2 could be obtained with 7 trusses of tomatoes grown on polyurethane-ether-foam mats (100 m L x 15 cm W x 6.5 cm H) with a density of 80 (PU-Aggrofoam).

Indications were that tomato-plants in late season prefer a wetter irrigation scheme in comparison with early growing conditions.

The reason therefore could be that in the brighter summer light conditions a water-stress may not be required to stimulate generative development as it is the case in the dark conditions of the early growing season.

Results obtained on PU-mats that had been used for growing tomatoes for 3 years were as good as those obtained on new ones.

Symposium on Horticultural Substrates and their Analysis

F. Benoit, N. Ceustermans

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.221.10