EFFECT OF POTASSIUM NUTRITION ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF TOMATO PLANTS GROWN WITH NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE UNDER SODIUM CHLORIDE SALINE CONDITIONS

     Tomato plants were grown over a 9-month period (from November till July) under unheated glasshouse conditions in an NFT system. Plant density was 2.7 plants/m². The examined factors were N:K ratio and addition of sodium chloride (NaCl). Two N:K ratios (1:1,5 and 1:3) were applied with and without addition of NaCl (600 ppm).Target Electrical Conductivity and pH of the nutrient solution in all the treatments were 4.8 mS/cm and 6.0 respectively. Total yield, number of fruits produced, fruit firmness and total soluble solids were measured. NaCl saline solution resulted in decreased yield. Higher yield and fruit firmness were recorded with increased K concentration in the NaCl saline nutrient solution, suggesting that increased potassium concentration could alleviate detrimental effects of NaCl when saline water is used.

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