Gravel for Soilless Tomato Culture in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

In most Mediterranean countries the current knowledge of soilless culture is still insufficient. Experiments were carried out to determine responses of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to production using locally available gravel, an alternative, less costly, growth medium than imported perlite. Local gravel is a diabase volcanic rock produced in several Cyprus regions for building purposes. Local gravel and imported perlite were agronomically tested in a hydroponic, recirculated production system in a greenhouse. Use of local gravel for the hydroponic cultivation of tomato produced results similar to those with imported perlite. There does not appear to be a compelling reason not to use the gravel for soilless tomato production.

Keywords:

• Lycopersicon esculentum
• Cyprus
• Gravel
• Hydroponics
• Nutrient content
• Perlite
• Yield