Articles
TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) PRODUCTION IN DIFFERENT SIZES OF “TEZONTLE”
Article number
947_12
Pages
111 – 117
Language
English
Abstract
This study was done to assess the hydroponic production of tomatoes, pre-determining the physical properties of the substrate.
Four different sizes of red volcanic scoria, tezontle (Tez), 3-5, 5-10, 10-20, and 20-30 mm in diameter were mixed with coconut dust and fiber (CDF) at 1:0, 3:1, and 1:1 (Tez:CDF) proportions.
The plants were irrigated with the Steiner nutrient solution through a drip irrigation system, applying only easily available water without loss of moisture and fertilizers from the substrate.
The electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the drained solution from the substrate were monitored every month.
In plastic bags of 24 L of substrate mixture, three tomato seedlings were transplanted in three containers per plot with five repiclates in a completely randomized design.
Bulk density (Bd), total porosity (TP), aeration porosity (Aep) and water retention porosity (Wrp) were evaluated in the substrate.
Mixtures with values close to 70% of TP were selected considering the balance between Aep and Wrp.
In the tomato crop, the evaluated variables were: plant height (PH), dry matter of leaves (DML), dry matter of stems (DMS), leaf/stem ratio (L/S R) and fruit yield per plant (Y). TP and Wrp were positively influenced as the proportion of CDF on the tezontle increased, the 3:1 proportion being the best mix, regardless of particle size.
Under equal hydric, nutritional, and physical conditions of the substrate, particle size of tezontle mixed with CDF had no significant effect on pH, DML, DMS, L/S R, or Y of tomato produced in this hydroponic system.
Four different sizes of red volcanic scoria, tezontle (Tez), 3-5, 5-10, 10-20, and 20-30 mm in diameter were mixed with coconut dust and fiber (CDF) at 1:0, 3:1, and 1:1 (Tez:CDF) proportions.
The plants were irrigated with the Steiner nutrient solution through a drip irrigation system, applying only easily available water without loss of moisture and fertilizers from the substrate.
The electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the drained solution from the substrate were monitored every month.
In plastic bags of 24 L of substrate mixture, three tomato seedlings were transplanted in three containers per plot with five repiclates in a completely randomized design.
Bulk density (Bd), total porosity (TP), aeration porosity (Aep) and water retention porosity (Wrp) were evaluated in the substrate.
Mixtures with values close to 70% of TP were selected considering the balance between Aep and Wrp.
In the tomato crop, the evaluated variables were: plant height (PH), dry matter of leaves (DML), dry matter of stems (DMS), leaf/stem ratio (L/S R) and fruit yield per plant (Y). TP and Wrp were positively influenced as the proportion of CDF on the tezontle increased, the 3:1 proportion being the best mix, regardless of particle size.
Under equal hydric, nutritional, and physical conditions of the substrate, particle size of tezontle mixed with CDF had no significant effect on pH, DML, DMS, L/S R, or Y of tomato produced in this hydroponic system.
Authors
C. San-Martin-Hernández, V.M. Ordaz-Chaparro, P. Sánchez-García , M. Sandoval-Villa, M.T.B. Colinas-León, L.C. Borges-Gómez
Keywords
red volcanic scoria, physical properties, coconut dust and fiber, hydroponics
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