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

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.