Summary
This greenhouse trial compared rockwool and coconut fibre growing media for soilless tomato cultivation, with half the plants grafted onto 'Maxifort' rootstock. Rockwool slabs produced significantly higher yields and larger fruits than the more environmentally friendly coconut fibre alternative. However, chemical composition and sensory quality were driven primarily by harvest timing rather than substrate type or grafting, suggesting that substrate choice need not compromise fruit quality attributes if harvest timing is optimised.
Regional applicability
The findings are relevant to United Kingdom glasshouse tomato producers considering substrate alternatives, particularly regarding the trade-off between environmental sustainability (coconut fibre) and commercial yield. The importance of harvest date in determining quality attributes applies universally to temperate greenhouse production.
Key measures
Total yield, fruit weight classes, vitamin C, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugars, dry matter, nitrate content, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sensory quality
Outcomes reported
The study measured total yield, fruit weight distribution, and chemical composition (vitamin C, soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugars, dry matter, nitrates, phosphorus, potassium, calcium) and sensory quality of greenhouse tomatoes grown on different substrates with and without grafting. Rockwool slabs produced higher total yields and larger fruits than coconut fibre slabs, whilst chemical composition was primarily influenced by harvest date rather than substrate or grafting.
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