Almond waste: a new ecology-friendly alternative substrate in tomato culture

Almond waste: a new ecology-friendly alternative substrate in tomato culture

2004

A:PS

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Daniela) were sown in a greenhouse on 20 September and transplanted on 2 November 2000. Two substrates (coconut coir and almond shells) were tested. The volume of the crop units (bags) was 40 and 18 litres for coir and shells, respectively. Drainage fraction during the whole cropping cycle was 67% in almond shell and 35% in coir. The drainage EC was very similar in both substrates, although EC of drainage water from coir increased over the growing season. The pH of the drainage water was lower for coir than for the almond shell. The pH of almond shell waste was slightly higher than 7. However, EC and pH of drainages from both substrates was in the range of acceptable values. Absolute losses were twice as high from the almond shell compared to the coir substrate. The total volume of water used by the coir system was twice that of almond shells. Almond shell drainage water contained higher concentrations of nitrates and phosphates than coir drainage water. In absolute terms, losses from almond shells of nitrates (above 137 g/m2) and phosphates (above 30 g/m2), were higher than those from coir. Early yield of plants growing on almond shell was significantly higher than that of coir. Number of early fruits with diameter 57-82 mm was greater for the almond shells than for the coir treatment. Non-marketable yield was significantly higher for coir than for almond shells. However, if when total yield is considered, there were no significant differences between treatments. Observed total yields of 12.6 kg/m2 for the almond shells substrate and greater than 13 kg/m2 on the coir substrate, are similar to the expected values for other substrates in general use. It can be concluded that almond shells can be used as soilless substrate if we adapt fertigation management to match the characteristics of this substrate.

no.638:285-288, ACTA HORTICULTURAE

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