Effects of substrate hydroponic systems and different N and K ratios on yield and quality of tomato fruit

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to determine the influence of wick and drip substrate hydroponic systems and different ratios of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in the nutrient solution on fruit yield and quality (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total soluble sugars, firmness, lycopene, carotenoids) in tomato. Summer and winter tomato crop was raised under two substrate hydroponic systems. Four nutrient solutions (N:K ratios in four combinations) were tested in both the growing seasons at vegetative and reproductive stages of plant development. Among the different nutrient solutions, the solution containing N and K in the ratio of 1.4:3 at vegetative and 1.7:3.5 at reproductive stage increased the total fruit yield and quality of tomato irrespective of hydroponic system or season. Among the hydroponic systems, wick system produced higher fruit yield and better quality in terms of firmness, ascorbic acid, and total soluble sugars in winter crop.

KEYWORDS:

• hydroponic
• nutrient
• quality
• substrate
• wick
• yield

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Surinder Singh Kukal, Professor, Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for suggestions.