Productivity and quality of tomatoes grown in low-volume hydroponics in glass greenhouses of "Venlo" type

Abstract

Purpose. To improve the elements of the technology for growing tomato hybrids by the method of low-volume hydroponics in glass greenhouses in the conditions of IV light zone of Ukraine. Conduct an economic and biological assessment and establish the response of new F1 tomato hybrids to environmental factors; study the dynamics of fruiting of F1 tomato hybrids and determine the most early-ripening and productive ones; determine influence of plant productivity on the dynamics of yield formation and tomato productivity when grown by the method of low-volume hydroponics in glass greenhouses; choose a method for the formation of grafted plants. Methods. Laboratory production experiments were carried out during 2015–2017. In glass winter greenhouses of “Venlo” type in Private Joint Stock Company “Combine “Teplychnyi” (Kalynivka village, Brovary district, Kyiv region), located in IV light zone of Ukraine. Standard statistical me­t­hods were used to analyze the research results. Results. The dynamics of yield growth and monthly yield under the influence of the methods of plant stem formation were analyzed. The studies were carried out during 2015–2017 in block hydro­ponic winter greenhouses of “Venlo” type. Yield analysis revealed the advantage of the option of forming two stems after the 3rd raceme on every second plant in the mat and after 9th one on every fourth plant in the mat. The obtained research results indicate a significant increase in the total yield with new methods of plant formation. The formation of two stems in plants after the 3rd raceme on every second plant and after 9th one on every fourth plant in the mat contributed to an increase in yield by 9.45 kg/m2 (or 16.9%), which will significantly increase the economic effect of the technology of growing greenhouse tomatoes. Analysis of the biochemical composition of tomatoes did not reveal significant diffe­rences between the variants with different methods of plant formation. Conclusions. When growing a hybrid ‘Merlis F1’, it is advisable to apply the formation of plants according to the following scheme: in two stems after the 3rd raceme on every second plant in the mat and after the 9th one on every fourth plant in the mat. In this case, the plant bears maximum fruit, and high productivity of one plants, due to the formation of a larger number of fruits, provides a high early yield at the level of 31.7 kg/m2. The highest total yield on average over the years of research (65.3 kg/m2) was obtained when plants were formed in two stems after the 3rd raceme on every se­cond plant in the mat and after the 9th one on every fourth plant in the mat. Analysis of the biochemical composition did not reveal a significant difference between the variants.