Growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato Solanum lycopersicum L grown in sewage-based compost in a semi-hydroponic cultivation system
Creators
- 1. Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU, Ås, Norway
- 2. Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway
- 3. Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU, Ås
Description
Purpose: Due to environmental concerns, there is a demand to reduce the use of peat as a growing
medium for horticultural crops. Simultaneously, there is an interest to recycle organic waste
materials in the form of compost. This study aimed to document effects on growth, yield, and
fruit quality of tomato plants when cultivated in a sewage digestate-based compost in a
subirrigation container system. Materials and methods: The compost used in this experiment
consisted of 30% hygienised sewage digestate from biogas extraction and 70% garden waste.
The treatments were 100% compost, a peat mix and mixtures of the two in 25/75, 50/50 and
75/25 ratios. Results and conclusion: Considering the contrast in chemical and physical
properties of the treatments, variations in growth, yield and quality were expected. The plants
differed in leaf area and number of leaves, but there were no differences in yield or quality of
the tomato fruits. It is assumed that this is in great part due to the remediating effects of
subirrigation with an ideal nutrient solution, and the use of pre-established plants. Further
research should focus on benefits of this cultivation system for use in sustainable horticulture in
combination with recycled organic waste.
Files
Aurdal et al.2022_a.pdf
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(1.7 MB)
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