Comparative yield evaluation of mini-tomato cultivar in two hydroponic systems

Abstract

Recent agricultural technology advancements have introduced innovative techniques like vertical farming and plant factories, offering precision agriculture. However, leafy green vegetables are dominantly grown in vertical farms with high-tech hydroponics, and fruit crops with relatively large plant sizes are neglected in vertical farming. To broaden the range of crops suitable for vertical farming, it is crucial to not only explore and develop novel varieties but also establish tailored cultivation systems. We cultivated the diminutive "Micro-Tom" tomato variety using two different hydroponic systems and assessed its productivity. After conducting four cultivation cycles and three yield trials, we verified the viability of hydroponic cultivation for mini-tomato plants. Our results suggest that enclosed vertical farms, where the external environment is strictly controlled, are more suitable for cultivating small fruit crops. These findings offer promising insights for the future application of hydroponics and vertical farming to various crops.