Summary
This 1999 trial evaluated four combinations of tomato production systems: open versus closed rockwool culture paired with either nutrient film technique or rockwool-based nutrient delivery. The work contributes to understanding how system design and nutrient delivery method affect horticultural productivity and resource efficiency in soilless cultivation, potentially informing decisions on sustainability and economic viability of greenhouse tomato production systems.
Regional applicability
Findings from this Canadian study are transferable to United Kingdom glasshouse and protected horticulture sectors, where soilless cultivation and rockwool systems are widely used for tomato production. The comparison of closed-loop (recycling) versus open systems is particularly relevant to UK environmental regulations and sustainability targets in horticultural production.
Key measures
Tomato yield, fruit quality parameters, nutrient solution composition and uptake, water use efficiency, system closure (nutrient recycling), plant growth metrics
Outcomes reported
The study compared tomato production performance (yield, quality, resource use) across open and closed rockwool culture systems using either nutrient film technique (NFT) or rockwool-based nutrient feeding methods. Key outcomes likely included fruit yield, quality metrics, and nutrient/water efficiency across the four system combinations.
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