Comparisons in Volumes of Irrigation and Drainage, Plant Growth and Fruit Yield under FDR Sensor-, Integrated Solar Radiation-, and Timer-Automated Irrigation Systems for Production of Tomato in a Coir Substrate Hydroponic System

Summary

This field trial compared three automated irrigation control methods for hydroponic tomato cultivation in coir substrate, evaluating their effects on water use efficiency and production outcomes. FDR sensor-based control minimised drainage (0–7%) and produced fruit with approximately 11–18% higher sugar content than timer or solar radiation-based systems, whilst maintaining comparable yields. The findings suggest that soil moisture sensor automation can reduce nutrient leaching and drainage-related environmental contamination whilst potentially improving fruit quality in protected horticultural systems.

Regional applicability

This study was conducted in South Korea using coir substrate hydroponic systems, a protected cultivation technology common in East Asia but less prevalent in United Kingdom outdoor and field-grown vegetable production. However, the principles of sensor-based irrigation scheduling and water efficiency are transferable to UK protected horticulture (glasshouses, polytunnels) and may inform policy or practice on reducing drainage and nutrient leaching from intensive horticultural systems.

Key measures

Daily irrigation volume per plant (mL), drainage rate (%), plant growth parameters, marketable fruit yield, fruit sugar content (Brix)

Outcomes reported

The study compared irrigation volume, drainage rates, plant growth, fruit yield, and fruit sugar content across three automated irrigation control systems (FDR soil moisture sensor, integrated solar radiation sensor, and timer-based) in coir substrate hydroponic tomato production. FDR sensor-based irrigation achieved the lowest drainage rates and highest fruit sugar content, whilst maintaining comparable yields to other systems.

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