Naslov
Tomato cultivation on coconut husks substrate

Autori
Vinković, Tomislav ; Iljkić, Dario ; Parađiković, Nada

Izvornik
Acta Agriculturae Serbica (0354-9542) 12 (2007), 23; 55-60

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
tomato ; glasshouse ; coconut husks substrate

Sažetak
The success of horticultural product is mainly based on the behavior of the plants growing in diferent media. Better media results in higher yields and improved crop quality. Coconut husk has shorter fibers, composted down to give a successful growing medium. As an alternative to peat or rock wool it offers a high moisture to air retention capacity, which enable easy growth and well spread root system. The pH ranges from 5.2 to 6.8. The compressed medium expands eight to nine times. Tomato cultivar Bella and Sinatra was used for testing. Crop spacing was 3 plants per square meter. There were three plants per bag and media volume was 12.5 l, and one plant per pot (media volume 2 l). The coco blocks of tomato plants were transferred on to the top of the bags and hooked to drip irrigation system equipped with injector ratio feeding system. The fruit yield and harvest date results indicate that both media were comparable. Cultivar Belle had the total yield of marketable fruits on the coco bag 12.62 kg/plant, on the pot 13.52 kg/plants and higher then cultivar Sinatra. It appears from this study that coco coir is a suitable growing medium for the production of tomatoes under greenhouse conditions.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA