The Effects of Different Growing Media and Humic Acid Applications on the Growth of Tomato Plants

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different growing media (peat + perlite, cocopeat, hazelnut husk, rock wool) and different humic acid doses (2, 4, and 8 ml L-1) on tomato plant growth. The performance of the seedlings from planting to fruit set was evaluated to determine the growth of the tomato plant. Fort his purpose; stem diameter (mm), plant height (cm), number of leaves, first flowering and first fruit set, total plant dry weight (g), root volume (m3), and relative growth rate (g cm-2 days-1) parameters were examined. According to the results, the highest stem diameter of 15 mm was obtained in the hazelnut husk media at a dose of 4 ml L-1 of humic acid. As a result, while the best root growth was obtained at 2ml L-1 humic acid doses in peat-perlite media, the fastest growth and N (3.33%), P (0.58%) and K (3.91%) content were obtained at 8 ml L-1 humic acid doses in cocopeat media. The best leafing, flowering and fruit set were obtained in cocopeat media with 2 ml L-1 humic acid doses. As a result, the highest relative growth rate (0.064 g cm-2 days-1) at 8 ml L-1 humic acid doses applied in the fastest growing cocopeat media.