The Influence of pH of Nutrient Solution On Yield and Nutritional Status of Tomato Plants Grown in Soilless Culture System

The aim of the studies conducted in the years 2004-2006 was determination the influence of nutrient solution of different pH on the yield and nutritional status of tomato plants grown in soilless culture in organic and inert medium. Tomato plants were grown on slabs made of shredded rye straw and on slabs of peat and rockwool. The plants were fertilized with standard nutrient solution of different pH: 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5. Nutrient solution pH and the kind of applied growing substrates were exerted significantly influence on the height of total and marketable yield of tomato cv. Blitz F¹. Early yield was not depended on pH of nutrient solution and the kind of using substrates. The highest total and marketable yield was observed in tomato grown in rockwool slabs. For all the growing media, the highest yield of tomatoes was obtained after feeding the plants with the nutrient solution of pH 5.5. The kind of growing substrates and pH of nutrient solution were significantly differenced the nutritional status of tomato plants. Despite of considerable differentiation of means concentration of mineral nutrient in tomato leaves, the plant growth and development were proper. Concentration of mineral nutrients was comprised at the optimum range of nutritional status of tomato plants. The pH of nutrient solution at the range of 4.5-6.0 was not exerted significantly influence on nutritional status of tomato plants with nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. With the increase of the pH nutrient solution the average phosphorus, iron and manganese content was decreased. The higher concentration of nitrogen, calcium and magnesium was occurred in tomato plants cultivated in organic substrates than in rockwool. The phosphorus and manganese content was higher in the leaves of tomato plants grown in rockwool compared to those in the organic media. Tomato plants grown in the straw substrate contained lower concentrations of potassium and iron and more calcium in comparison to peat.