Tomato productivity and the associated composition of the hydroponic or soil solution

Abstract

The concentration and balance of nutrients in both the hydroponic or soil solution has been evaluated with relevance to tomato productivity. Yields of 200 mt/ha have been produced in greenhouse, hydroponic culture in a 9 to 10 month period. Yields of more than 100 mt/ha of field grown tomatoes have been produced in Florida in a 4 to 5 month period. Within the limitations of either culture, it is possible per unit of time to provide the nutrients required to produce equivalent yields. It is most significant that field grown tomatoes in Florida can be grown with minimal management and at a fraction of the cost of those grown hydroponically. The validity of the Florida fresh market tomato industry is based on the production efficiency of the field culture. There are annually 16,000 ha of tomatoes grown in Florida, perhaps less than 40 ha grown in hydroponic cultures.

Key words:

• Concentration and balance
• soil solution
• hydroponic solution
• gradient‐mulch system
• production efficiency