Hydroponics cultivation of tomato crop (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) using two application systems of the nutrient solution with differents ratios of K:N

Author(s)

Adriana Luzia Pontes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2001-03-02
• Advisor: Joao Tessarioli Neto

Abstract

The trial was conducted from JuIy to December of 1998, at an experimental area of the Vegetable Production Department, São Paulo University. Tomato plants were grown on two different hydroponics systems: NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) and NNT (Nutrient Nebulization Technique). In NNT, the root systems of the plants received nebulized solution inside PVC pipeline. Two K:N ratios (2: 1 and 3: 1) also were evaluated. These two ratios were used during all cycle and combined as follows: one of the ratio untiI beginning of flowering and the other, until the end of the cycle. Each mentioned systems (NFT and NNT), received four proposed soIutions, totaling eight treatment combinations. All pIants were conducted UntiI 6th raceme. Production characteristics were evaluated based on: weight, number, diameter and cull fruits (%). Two market classification systems were also used (CEAGESP and supermarket ). In the experimental conditions, there was not found any statistical difference at P<0.05 between hydroponics systems. The ratios K:N 2:1/2:1 and 3:1/3:1 (all cycle) and the combination K:N 2:113:1, respectively, showed the best results, for NFT. The ratios K:N 3:1/3:1 (all cyc1e) and the combination 2:1/3:1, respectively, presented the best results, for NNT. (AU)