Abstract

YESCAS-CORONADO, Pablo et al. Use of Different Substrates and Irrigation Frequencies to Reduce Leachate in Tomato Production. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.4, pp.441-448. ISSN 2395-8030.

Nutrient solution leachate is associated with over-irrigation, which generates economic losses, drastic changes in pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the solution, saturation of the culture medium, decreased photosynthesis, nutritional imbalances, growth of pathogens and poor quality fruit. The objective of this research was to determine the frequency of irrigation and substrate to reduce leachate volumes of nutrient solution and to relate tomato yield. Five different irrigation frequencies during the day (one irrigation at 8:00 h., two at 8:00 and 10:00 h, three at 8:00, 10:00, and 12:00 h, four at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, and 14:00 h, five at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00 h) and three substrates (sand, perlite, and a mixture of sand, vermicompost) were evaluated in three tomato phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, and fruiting). Leachate depended on the frequency of irrigation during the vegetative stage. The substrate type influenced the leaching of the stages of fruiting and ripening, leachate depended on the substrates used. The least amount of leachate was obtained when the total volume of irrigation water in a single day in the sand substrate. The leachate from the mix 75% sand and 25% of vermicompost showed higher EC. Efficiency in water use was 22.16 kg m-3, when the total volume applied daily, divided into four irrigation, this corresponds to a productivity of 6.38 kg m-2 of fruit. Soluble solid in fruit (°Brix) depended exclusively of substrate used.

Keywords : Lycopersicon esculentum; vermicompost; fertirrigation; leach; sand.

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