ISHS Acta Horticulturae 98: Symposium on Research on Recirculating Water Culture
SODIUM CHLORIDE: ITS EFFECT ON NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND CROP YIELDS WITH TOMATOES IN NFT |
| Authors: | D.C. Attenburrow, P.L. Waller |
| Abstract:
Some effects of sodium chloride on the yield and nutrient uptake in tomatoes in an NFT system have been investigated. It was shown that 200 mg/1 NaCl in the make-up water significantly reduced yield compared with a sodium chloride free control. Allowing the maximum NaCl concentration to rise from 400 mg 800 mg/1 prior to replacing the circulating solution resulted in further reduction in yield and a reduction in water uptake but no increase in the rate of sodium and chloride uptake. Nutrient input was maintained at all times and nutrient uptake was substantially unaffected by NaCl treatment. With increasing NaCl concentration and conductivity, fruit quality improved but fruit size declined. The benefits of adding nutrients independently of conductivity or NaCl concentration under experimental and practical conditions are discussed. | |
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