FOUR NON-CIRCULATING, HYDROPONIC METHODS FOR GROWING GREENHOUSE TOMATOES

Abstract

Total salable yields of `Vendor' greenhouse tomatoes produced with 4 non-circulating, hydroponic methods were not significantly different from yields produced with conventional soil bed culture (5.69 kg/plant).Three methods employed a capillary, sub-irrigated system wherein the plant container rested in a shallow, covered, polyethylene-lined tank containing 5 cm of nutrient solution. Plant containers consisted of 7 and 25 liter plastic pots containing a 1 hapuu:2 cinder medium plus 1 and 2 plants, respectively, and rockwool blocks (7.5 × 7.5 × 6.5 cm) resting on larger rockwool blocks (15 × 15 × 7.5 cm).The fourth method consisted of rockwool blocks (7.5 × 7.5 × 6.5 cm) resting on a screen placed in a covered, 20 cm deep, polyethylene-lined tank filled with nutrient solution.