The effect of varying coconut coir substrates and loam soil on the physiology, and biochemical constituents of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. esculentum) grown under greenhouse environment

Summary

Abstract Reducing, reusing, and recycling are the three fundamental principles, of which the circular economy aims to maximise. This approach uses by-products as a raw material to produce new products. Coconut coir, a by-product of coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera L.), is an organic substrate made from the fruit’s mesocarp, or outer husk, and is thought to have environmental benefits due to its re-usability. Due to its excellent air-porosity, ranging from 28 to 95%, the substrate provides an excellent growing environment for healthy plants. Most growers have adopted the use of organic substrates in greenhouse crop production to minimise costs since they are re-usable. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of coconut coir substrates on the physiological processes, yield, and