Articles
GREENHOUSE TOMATO PLANT DEVELOPMENT UNDER ORGANIC GROWING CONDITIONS: A CASE STUDY OF SIX ORGANIC SOILS
Article number
915_10
Pages
83 – 89
Language
English
Abstract
Fertilization in greenhouse organic tomato production relies on solid amendments and on the mineralization rate of nutrients.
Soil biological activity and its potential effect on mineralization is therefore an important aspect to consider when trying to coordinate nutrient availability with plant nutritional needs.
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the growth and development of tomato plants in six organic soils under organic greenhouse tomato production with water recirculation conditions.
The experiment, conducted at Université Laval (Québec City, Canada), consisted of 36 experimental units (1.5 m3 containers). The organic soils used were: 1) loam, 2) sandy loam, 3) sandy soil, 4) muck soil, 5) reconstituted organic soil with 40% air porosity and 6) peat soil amended with sawdust.
Ten grafted tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill Clarance grafted on Beaufort) were cultivated in each growing container from February to December 2009. The crop was fertilized using certified organic compost, crab meal and seaweed extract.
Irrigation was regulated for each soil according to the measured matric potential.
Effluents and irrigation solution were continuously collected and analyzed.
Soil CO2 effluxes, an indicator of the soil biological activity, were evaluated every month.
Plant biomass accumulation and fruit yield were evaluated throughout the production period.
Yield and biomass accumulation were higher in the muck soil compared to the other soils.
However, the highest microbial activity was observed in the peat and sawdust mixture.
Soil biological activity and its potential effect on mineralization is therefore an important aspect to consider when trying to coordinate nutrient availability with plant nutritional needs.
The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the growth and development of tomato plants in six organic soils under organic greenhouse tomato production with water recirculation conditions.
The experiment, conducted at Université Laval (Québec City, Canada), consisted of 36 experimental units (1.5 m3 containers). The organic soils used were: 1) loam, 2) sandy loam, 3) sandy soil, 4) muck soil, 5) reconstituted organic soil with 40% air porosity and 6) peat soil amended with sawdust.
Ten grafted tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill Clarance grafted on Beaufort) were cultivated in each growing container from February to December 2009. The crop was fertilized using certified organic compost, crab meal and seaweed extract.
Irrigation was regulated for each soil according to the measured matric potential.
Effluents and irrigation solution were continuously collected and analyzed.
Soil CO2 effluxes, an indicator of the soil biological activity, were evaluated every month.
Plant biomass accumulation and fruit yield were evaluated throughout the production period.
Yield and biomass accumulation were higher in the muck soil compared to the other soils.
However, the highest microbial activity was observed in the peat and sawdust mixture.
Authors
V. Gravel, C. Ménard, M. Dorais, S. Pepin
Keywords
containers, Lycopersicon esculentum, organic farming, fruit yield, CO2 effluxes, irrigation systems, nutrient availability, soil biological activity, organic matter mineralization
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