Performance of Two Varieties of Tomato Solanum lycopersicum L as Affected by Two Concentration of Hydroponic Solution
Kehinde-Fadare Abosede Fisayo *
Department of Crop, Horticulture and Landscape Design, Ekiti State University, P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Adisa Rachael Ayodele
Department of Crop, Horticulture and Landscape Design, Ekiti State University, P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The effects of two distinct nutrient solutions were evaluated on two tomato varieties in a hydroponic system enclosed within a screen house over the course of 12 weeks. At three weeks of age, tomato seedlings previously cultivated in a nursery were transplanted into a Kratky hydroponic system, which involves the placement of plants in a net pot, where the growing media is secured by a lid and hung above the water. All of these were held in a container containing dissolved nutrients at two solutions different in concentrations, including both major and trace elements diluted at varying levels. Growth parameters were observed and recorded over a five-week period at weekly intervals, starting from the week after transplantation. In addition, data on yield, including fruit weight, diameter, and number, were collected at harvest and documented that both concentrations (i.e. 100% and 75%) were observed to give substantial results in terms of yield. However, the 100% concentration gave a better performance in all the parameters taken.
Keywords: Growth parameters, hydroponics, Kratky, tomatoes