SOME ASPECTS OF THE TROUGH BENCH SYSTEM AND ITS PERFORMANCE IN CHERRY TOMATO PRODUCTION

Traditional open soilless systems in the greenhouse industry produce considerable leaching of the excess nutrient solution from the substrate into the subsoil.
The existing closed systems have two main problems that limit their diffusion: i) they require a high initial cost and ii) they require a high level of technical expertise.
The systems based on subirrigation with recirculation of nutrient solution called “zero run-off subirrigation” (ZRS) systems are among the more promising closed methods.
Plant uptake very slightly modifies the whole solution composition and therefore none of the solution needs to be periodically discharged.
The management of nutrient solution is therefore very easy and the system avoids the loss of nutrients from the greenhouse.
Up to now the ZRS systems have been studied and suggested mostly for small-size potted plants.
In this review results concerning the performance of a “trough bench” system (a ZRS system suitable for fruit vegetables with a long production cycle) in growing a cherry tomato crop are reported.
Both water use efficiency are considered, also in comparison with a top-irrigation system.

VI International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climate: Product and Process Innovation

A. Elia, P. Santamaria, A. Parente, F. Serio

subirrigation, electrical conductivity, fruit size

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.614.22