RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SUBSTRATE AND FOLIAR ANALYSIS WITH GROWTH AND YIELD RESULTS OF A TOMATO CROP CULTIVATED IN REUTILIZED POSIDONIA OCEANICA L. SEAGRASS SUBSTRATES

In a first approach we tried out to find the relationship between physical properties of the substrate and the yield and growth results. This analysis indicated a complete independance between the yield results and the physical properties, in spite of the increasing physical quality of the substrate.

In a second approach the relationship between major elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in the substrate one month after planting, and at the end of the crop and in the foliage with the yield and growth results is presented. This analysis shows the positive linkage between Ca content with the yield results while high P and K content one month after planting has a rather negative influence on the yield results.

A third approach consisted in the relationship between the micro-element content (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe and B) in the substrate and the foliage with the yield and growth results. This analysis indicates the positive linkage between yield and content of Cu and Mn in the foliage and the rather negative effect of high oligoelement content in the substrate.

A global analysis of a choosen set of physical and chemical properties of the substrate with growth and yield results is presented. This analysis indicates a amelioration of the yield during the first three years of utilization, which seems particularly related to the amelioration of the physical properties of the substrate, while afterwards the lower yields seems to be linked to the high Cu, Mn and Zn contents and low Ca contents of the substrate.

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