AIR/WATER MANAGEMENT IN ROCKWOOL SLABS

With the aid of a mechanical system of siphons the water content in rockwool slabs was maintained at preset levels, regardless of the amount of water supplied, to investigate whether the development and yield of tomato were affected by slab water content.
Different water content strategies were compared.
Water content and EC level were monitored with Frequency Domain-equipment.
Slab water control influenced both fresh and dry matter yield of tomato.
No difference in crop characteristics, such as leaf dimensions, was observed.
The evidence points to a difference in the efficiency of photosynthesis.
The best strategy appears to be starting at 40% slab water content and raising it to 60% at the tenth truss stage.

International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics

C. Blok

Water content, water relations, tomato, rockwool substrate, dry matter production

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.481.5