Yield and Fruit Quality of Tomato as Affected by the Substrate in an Open Soilless Culture

This study was conducted during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons at the Jordan Valley to evaluate the use of locally available tuff and sand substrates in comparison with soil for growing tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum [Mill] L. cv. Hana) using an open soilless culture. Treatments were randomly distributed according to RCBD with three replications. Tomato plants grown in soil or tuff gave higher total yield and yield/plant in both seasons. Fruit weight was not affected by the substrates in the first season, but it was the highest in soil in the second season. Total soluble solid was higher for tuff or sand substrates for both seasons. Citric acid did not differ among the substrates in the first season, but was higher for tuff or sand than in soil in the second season. This study indicated that open soilless system using tuff as a substrate may be suitable for tomato production without dramatic changes in yield or fruit quality and it saved about 65-70% of water applied by conventional farmers for tomato under plastic house.