Horticultural Research (Japan)
Online ISSN : 1880-3571
Print ISSN : 1347-2658
ISSN-L : 1347-2658
Crop Production & Cropping Type
Effects of Various Substrates on Growth and Fruit Yield in Tomato Forcing Culture Using a Root-proof Capillary Wick
Takafumi KinoshitaMasaharu Masuda
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2011 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 197-202

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Abstract
We investigated the effects of various substrates on growth and yield in tomato forcing-culture using a root-proof capillary wick. Three-phase distribution, i.e. liquid, gas and solid, considerably differed among substrates in pre- and post-cultivation. In some substrates, there was also considerable difference between pre- and post-cultivation. Marketable fruit yield was highest in the substrate consisting of paddy soil : bark compost : peatmoss : perlite = 2 : 4 : 1 : 1, and lowest in crushed rice husk, while the soluble solids content remained almost the same in all substrates. Liquid and gaseous phase distribution in pre-cultivation showed a greater relation to marketable fruit yield than those in post-cultivation. Liquid phase distribution showed a greater relation to marketable fruit yield than gaseous phase distribution. In bark compost and crushed rice husk, EC and the concentration of inorganic nutrient solution, except for PO43, in substrates were sometimes higher than those in other substrates. However, EC and the concentration of inorganic nutrient solution in substrates seemed not to affect the fruit yield, because there was no symptom of damage due to nutrient excess or deficiency. These findings suggest that liquid phase distribution of substrates would be an indicator of suitable substrate selection for this culture method. The value around 45-55% indicated that the substrate consisting of paddy soil : bark compost : peatmoss : perlite = 2 : 4 : 1 : 1 was suitable.
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© 2011 by Japanese Society for Horticultural Science
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