Growth, photosynthesis and productivity of greenhouse tomato cultivated in open or closed rockwool systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Hao ◽  
A. P. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique ◽  
Closed Systems ◽  
Environmentally Sound

Two full spring season tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. “Trust”) were grown in an open rockwool system with standard rockwool feeding formulae (O-R; conventional method), and in closed rockwool systems with standard rockwool (C-R) or Nutrient Film Technique (C-NFT) feeding formulae (modified in 1997) in 1996 and 1997 to examine the feasibility of a fully closed rockwool production system with appropriate feeding formulae. The closed rockwool system with optimized feeding formulae achieved high marketable yield, similar to that of the open rockwool system. There were no differences in early plant growth, plant biomass or biomass partitioning, and in total fruit yield, size and grades except for the closed rockwool system with the standard rockwool feeding formulae (C-R), which had lower yield than C-NFT in the last month of harvest in 1996. The photosynthesis of old foliage was higher and the root systems at the end of the experiments were rated healthier in plants grown in the closed (C-R and C-NFT) systems than in plants grown in the open (O-R) system. Over 30% of water and fertilizer was saved with the closed systems in comparison to the conventional open system. These results demonstrated that closed rockwool systems with optimized nutrient feedings are economically and environmentally sound alternative methods for greenhouse tomato production in Ontario. Key words: Lycopersicon esculentum, tomato, yield, recycling, rockwool, greenhouse

scholarly journals Effects of Controlling pH with Hydrochloric Acid on the Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Greenhouse Tomato Grown by Nutrient Film Technique

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198
Author(s):  
A.P. Papadopoulos ◽  
S. Pararajasingham
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Genotypic Differences ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Solution Ph ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique

In growing greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) using the nutrient film technique (NFT), HNO3 or H3PO4 is usually added to offset the increase in pH of the recirculating solution. For economic and environmental reasons, HCl would be a possible substitute for either HNO3 or H3PO4. Therefore, experiments were initiated to evaluate HCl as an alternative acid in controlling the pH of the recirculating solution in NFT-grown greenhouse tomato. The effects of HNO3, H3PO4, and HCl on the growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality were quantified. In 1995, these effects were tested using `Trust' and `BST 7804' at a recirculating solution pH of 5.5, 6.0, or 6.5; in 1996, only `Trust' was grown at a recirculating solution pH of 6.2. In the 1995 experiment, genotypic differences in marketable fruit yield tended to be smaller when HCl was used to control the recirculating solution pH at 6.0 than when either H3PO4 or HNO3 was used. In `Trust', at a pH of 5.5 under the HCl treatment, fruit quality tended to be higher than in other treatment combinations. In 1996, over a 45-day period, the concentration of Cl− that accumulated in the recirculating solution from added HCl was 313 mg·L−1 (313 ppm). There were no significant effects of the treatments on the growth, fruit quality, or yield of the crop. The total marketable yield was better when HCl had been used, likely due to high fruit production at the early part of the harvesting period. Potential savings for the season can be achieved if HCl is substituted for H3PO4 to regulate the nutrient solution pH in NFT-based greenhouse tomato production.

Irrigation of greenhouse tomatoes grown in "Harrow" peat-bags

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 947-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios P. Papadopoulos ◽  
Chin S. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Irrigation Frequency ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Greenhouse Tomatoes ◽  
Fertilizer Solution

Three spring and two fall crops of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill; various cultivars) grown in "Harrow" peat bags were irrigated 1, 4, 8 or 16 times daily. All plants received the same volume of fertilizer solution which varied with time from 0.2 to 1.0 L plant−1 d−1 according to crop and environmental conditions. The results showed little or no effect of irrigation frequency on early or total yield, number of grade no. 1 fruit, or fruit size. Key words: Lycopersicon esculentum, marketable yield

scholarly journals Agronomic and physiological responses of tomato plants grown in different soilless systems to saline conditions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilbert Michael Rodriguez-Ortega ◽  
Vicente Martinez ◽  
Manuel Nieves ◽  
Jose Maria Camara-Zapata ◽  
Francisco Garcia-Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Yield Loss ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Gas Exchange Parameters ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Osmotic Effect ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique

Background. The tomato is the most important horticultural crop in the world, regarding area of cultivation and yield. The main production areas have arid and semi-arid climates, with scarce rainfall, which forces the use of saline water for irrigation - leading to a decrease in the agronomic yield of the crop. Currently, many soilless cultivation systems are considered for tomato production, although the behavior of the plants when saline water is used for irrigation is not known in detail. Methods. In this work we study the agronomic and physiological responses of the tomato variety ‘Óptima’, using different soilless crop systems (perlite substrate, hydroponics, and the nutrient film technique) and several levels of salinity in the irrigation water. The yield, quality parameters, vegetative growth, mineral composition, water relations, and gas exchange parameters were measured. Results and conclusions. Salinity caused changes in the water status of the plants, toxicity due to Cl- and Na+, and nutritional imbalances that altered the physiology of the plants, thereby reducing yield, although the fruit quality was improved. Regarding the crop system, hydroponics gave a higher marketable yield, both with and without salinity, with a consumption of nutrient solution intermediate between that of the nutrient film and perlite. Salinity reduced yield similarly in all systems. Plants cultivated with the nutrient film technique had the highest concentrations of Cl- and Na+ and the highest Na+/K+ ratio. The concentrations of Cl- and Na+ in the plants were not related directly to the yield loss. Therefore, the combined influence of the toxicity, osmotic effect, and nutritional imbalance seems to have been responsible for the yield loss.

scholarly journals Properly Recycled Perlite Saves Money, Does Not Reduce Greenhouse Tomato Yield, and Can Be Reused for Many Years

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 342-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.Y. Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
The Media ◽  
Reduced Salt ◽  
The Cost

A study was conducted to determine if raising tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) in cleaned and disinfected used perlite would be more economical than new perlite and have no negative impact on yield. Cleaning and disinfecting used perlite for recycling saved 56% of the cost to replace the media and reduced salt content to the optimum level recommended for raising container grown plants. Disinfecting used perlite with hot water raised media temperatures above limits necessary to kill several fungi and nematodes. Tomatoes planted in recycled perlite produced greater marketable yield and heavier fruit than those planted in new perlite. Season and year of planting also have significant effects on yield. Used perlite can be cleaned and disinfected as needed and recycled for many years because it is not organic in nature and physically and chemically stable.

scholarly journals METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES IN FRESH MARKET TOMATO PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 759a-759
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Ray ◽  
Sandra B. Wilson ◽  
Kathy H. Brock ◽  
Bruce A. Fortnum ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Methyl Bromide Alternatives ◽  
Environmentally Sound ◽  
Chemical Pesticides ◽  
Polyethylene Mulch

Pest management is of primary importance to the vegetable industry in our nation. In recent years producers have undergone much scrutiny concerning their pest control strategies, which often include the use of chemical pesticides. Due to the detrimental effects of many fumigants, growers are being forced to incorporate more environmentally sound agricultural practices while still producing a healthy, marketable commodity. The effects of three different fumigants and reflective mulches on plant growth and development were studied in field-grown, staked tomatoes. Methyl bromide, Telone II, or Telone C-17 were used in fumigation of plots. The establishment of mulch color was done via applications of exterior enamel paint, white or red in color, to the surface of black polyethylene mulch. With the exception of total marketable yields, no interactions existed between mulch color and fumigant. Red mulch and Telone II treatments resulted in the highest total marketable yield. Telone II application increased early marketable yield. White mulch color increased preharvest yield and black mulch color decreased early marketable yield. Low initial populations of nematodes may be the cause for lack of response due to fumigation.

scholarly journals (6) Sucker Removal and Pruning Affect on Heirloom Tomato Yield and Fruit Size

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1015C-1015
Author(s):  
Wesley L. Kline ◽  
Stephen A. Garrison ◽  
June F. Sudal
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
The Other ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Late Season ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Cluster 2

Heirloom tomato production is increasing in the Eastern United states as consumer demand increases. Pruning and suckering heirloom tomatoes have not been studied to see if there is any need for this labor-intensive activity. A 2-year study was undertaken to evaluate whether pruning or suckering would affect yield or fruit size for two heirloom cultivars (`Mortgage Lifter' and `Prudens Purple'). The treatments imposed on the cultivars were 1) removing all suckers from the second or third stem down after the flower cluster; 2) removing the bottom two suckers, or 3) removing no suckers. Pruning had no effect on early yield or fruit size (harvests 1–4). Mid-season (harvests 5–7) total and marketable yields were significantly higher for removing two suckers or not suckering over the other two treatments for year 1, but not year 2. The tomato fruit size was only reduced for the non-suckering treatment. There were no statistical differences among the pruning treatments for yield or fruit size for late season harvests (8-10) for both years. Marketable yields were statistically higher for no suckering over the two- and three-stem treatments, but not different from two suckers when all harvests were combined for the season for year 1. No statistical differences were observed in year 2. However, fruit size was reduced when not suckering compared to the other treatments. The cultivar `Prudens Purple' did have higher total and marketable yield than `Mortgage Lifter' for both early and total combined harvests, but not for mid- or late-season harvests in year 1. There were no statistical differences between the two cultivars for year 2.

Allyl Isothiocyanate as a Methyl Bromide Alternative for Weed Management in Polyethylene-Mulched Tomato

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev K. Bangarwa ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Edward E. Gbur
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Allyl Isothiocyanate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Tomato Yield

Methyl bromide has been widely used for weed control in polyethylene-mulched tomato production. With the phaseout of methyl bromide in the United States, an effective alternative is needed. Field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2009 to determine if allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) would provide substantive weed control in tomato along with crop tolerance under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulch. Treatment factors included two mulch types (LDPE and VIF) and six rates of allyl ITC (0, 15, 75, 150, 750, 1,500 kg ha−1). A standard treatment of methyl bromide : chloropicrin (67 : 33%) at 390 kg ha−1under LDPE mulch was also established. Allyl ITC was broadcast applied and incorporated in soil before forming raised beds and laying plastic mulch. Tomatoes were transplanted 3 wk after applying allyl ITC or methyl bromide treatments. Tomato injury was ≤ 8% in all treatments at 2 wk after transplanting (WATP). Allyl ITC at 913 (± 191) kg ha−1was required to control yellow nutsedge, Palmer amaranth, and large crabgrass equivalent to methyl bromide at 6 WATP and maintain marketable tomato yield equivalent to methyl bromide treatment. VIF mulch was not effective in increasing weed control or improving the marketable yield of tomato over LDPE mulch. This research demonstrates that allyl ITC under an LDPE mulch can have a practical application for weed control in polyethylene-mulched tomato in the absence of methyl bromide.

scholarly journals 134 Growth, Photosynthesis, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Greenhouse Tomato Grown in Open or Closed Rockwool Production Systems with Different Nutrient Feedings

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 464E-465
Author(s):  
Xiuming Hao ◽  
Athanasios P. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Conventional Culture

Two long-season tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Trust; in 1996 and 1997) were grown in an open rockwool system (conventional culture method) and in closed rockwool culture systems with different nutrient feedings to develop a closed tomato production system with zero discharge of nutrient solutions to the environment. The tomato grown in the closed rockwool systems with a modified rockwool or nutrient film technique (NFT) feeding formula achieved similar marketable yield as the tomato grown in the conventional open rockwool system. Similarly, there were no differences in early plant growth and photosynthesis, total plant biomass and biomass partitioning, fruit yield, or fruit size and grades. The tomato plants grown in the closed rockwool systems senesced slower, as demonstrated by higher photosynthesis in old leaves, and had better root systems than the plants grown in the conventional open rockwool system. The fruit quality of tomato produced in the closed rockwool systems was better than that of tomato produced in the open rockwool system in one of two crops. These results demonstrated that the closed rockwool system with optimized nutrient feeding is an economically and environmentally sound alternative to the conventional open rockwool production method.

scholarly journals Irrigation Strategies for Greenhouse Tomato Production on Rockwool

HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 484-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uttam K. Saha ◽  
Athanasios P. Papadopoulos ◽  
Xiuming Hao ◽  
Shalin Khosla
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Irrigation Schedule ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato

To address the concern that irrigation provides sufficient water to match the crop needs, while not impeding oxygen availability to the roots, we conducted an experiment to develop suitable irrigation schedule(s) for greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) on rockwool. The experimental treatments incorporated the electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution in the rockwool slab (slab-EC) along with the water content (WC) in the rockwool slab (slab-WC) as the irrigation decision-making variables. They were: slab-WC ≤ 70% or slab-EC ≥ 1.4× normal or more (T1), slab-WC ≤ 70% or slab-EC ≥ 1.7× normal or more (T2), slab-WC ≤ 80% or slab-EC ≥ 1.4× normal or more (T3), slab-WC ≤ 80% or slab-EC ≥ 1.7× normal or more (T4), and the combined weight loss (WL) 700 g or more (T5) and WL 500 g or more (T6), in which “normal” means the feed solution EC as recommended in the seasonal fertigation schedule for a spring–summer tomato crop. The data on early-season marketable yield, total seasonal marketable yield, and fruit grades indicated the superiority of treatments T1, T2, and T6 over T3, T4, and T5. Better root growth was observed with T1, T2, and T6 and this was also associated with minimized nutrient solution leaching; furthermore, these plants had an abundance of coarse and fine roots, higher photosynthesis and transpiration, higher marketable yield, and a higher water use efficiency. Our results thus established that irrigation based on either a slab water content 70% or less or a 500-g weight loss is the best strategy for rockwool-grown greenhouse tomatoes in the spring–summer season. A variation in slab-EC between 1.4 and 1.7× normal, at a slab-WC of 70% or less, would have no significant effect on root growth, water use, marketable yield, or fruit grades.

scholarly journals GROWTH AND YIELD OF GREENHOUSE TOMATO WITH CONSTANT OR DIURNAL HEATING OF ROOT AND SHOOT

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 189g-190
Author(s):  
Martin P.N. Gent ◽  
Yong-Zhan Ma
Keyword(s):  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Constant Heat ◽  
Greenhouse Tomato ◽  
Leaf Weight ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Blossom End Rot ◽  
Marketable Fruit ◽  
Effect On Yield

What is the effect of constant compared to diurnal heating of the shoot and root on growth and yield of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)? Seedlings were transplanted on 4 or 25 Mar. 1994 into troughs that were not heated or heated to 21C by buried tubing, either constantly or for 12 h during the day or the night. The greenhouses had either 14/14C or 26/6C day/night minimum air temperatures. After 2 weeks, leaves of the 4 Mar. transplants weighed most with constant root heat and least with no heat. Roots weighed more with 14/14C than 26/6C air heat. With 14/14C air heat, only no root heat reduced leaf weight, whereas with 26/6C air heat, leaf weight was in the order: constant > day > night - no heat. After 2 weeks, leaves of the 25 Mar. transplants weighed least with no heat, and other treatments did not differ. Root heating affected yield. By 1 July, the number of fruit and the number and weight of marketable fruit produced from 4 Mar. transplants was in the order: constant heat > day > night > no heat. The 22/6C air heat increased marketable yield because fewer fruit were small, irregular, or had blossom-end rot. Root heat had no effect on yield of 25 Mar. transplants.

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