MANAGEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY IN SOILLESS TOMATO CROP INFLUENCE OF DRIP FLOW RATE ON SUBSTRATES HUMIDITY RUN-OFF

The objective of this study is placed in the general context of greenhouse crop management and, more specifically, concerns the control of "ferti-irrigation" systems in soilless culture.
It aims to compare the influence of different drip flow rates on the water balance and the agronomical results of a tomato culture

With respect to the 2 l.h^-1 flow rate that is usually applied, the 1 l.h^-1 flow rate studied in our tests improved the nutritive solution retention by the substrate and allowed a significant reduction of water and fertilizer run-off.
It also allowed the maintenance of a more regular concentration of fertilizer at the root level.
These differences observed in the water dynamics of the system did not have any consequences on the agronomic results because the improvement observed at the beginning of production disappeared progressively until the end of the culture.
This study also presents the advantages and shortcomings of two methods for irrigation scheduling (Solarimeter and "Start-bac").

International Seminar on Soilless Culture Technology Protected Crops Mild Winter Climates

R. Fabre, B. Jeannequin

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.408.9