Effect of composite media on growth and yield of greenhouse grown tomato and capsicum | |
| Author | Momotaz, Homayara |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-09-07 |
| Subject(s) | Tomatoes Peppers Hydroponics Greenhouse plants |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Agricultural Systems and Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AE-09-07 |
| Abstract | At present greenhouse grown tomato and capsicum are accepted worldwide. Additionally, soilless cultures are well known in some part of the world. Five different growing media like vermiculite (V), rock wool(R), peat moss (P), coir pith(C) and pot mixture were combined with different ratios by using two level fractional factorial design. Sixteen treatments were used as a composite growing medium for plants to study the effect on growth and yield of tomato and capsicum. Experiments were conducted from November 2008 to April 2009. Tomato New King Kong (Lycopersicon esculentum) and red cluster pepper (c. frutescens fasciculate) were grown in two greenhouses. Observations on fruit quality, various agronomical data, composite media properties, nutrient and cost were made. The average marketable yield of tomato was 4.5 kg/plant. There was no significant variation found between treatment and marketable yield of tomato. Percentage of diseases on plants was zero and crack value varied from 5 to 13%. Fruit quality parameters like color, size, firmness, Brix and tomato juice pH were measured. No considerable interaction was found between treatment and these values. Composite media's bulk density, water holding capacity and water consumption were varied between 0.131-0.491 gm/cm³, 40-75% and 820-1400 ml respectively. Leachate parameters including pH, EC, Phosphorus and nitrogen nutrient concentrations were measured. Phosphorus and nitrogen concentration values were low in dripper solution. Significant variations were found in phosphorus concentration and pH value. In case of capsicum, high marketable yield was noted in treatment P, which was 0.58 kg/ plant. Non-marketable yield value was more than 38% on treatments (V+R+P+C) and P. Additionally, high diseases and irregular shape were found with treatments (V+R+P+C), (V+R), (R+P) and (V+R+P). Higher temperature and severe infection of viral diseases and insects make an unfavorable environment for capsicum plants growth. From cost analysis, some high cost treatments gave same yield as compared with to the low cost treatments. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AE-09-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salokhe, Vilas M. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Athapol Noomhorm;Jayasuriya, H. P. W.;Soni, Peeyush |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Netherlands |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |