Effects of culture media on yield, growth, photosynthetic capacity and antioxidant enzyme of different tomato (solanum lycopersicum l.) varieties

Summary

This greenhouse experiment compared three culture media systems (soil, substrate, and hydroponics) for growing four tomato varieties in China, examining effects on yield and physiological traits. Substrate and hydroponic systems outperformed soil cultivation, with yield strongly correlated to individual fruit weight (R² = 0.82) and seedling-stage photosynthetic rate (R² = 0.72). The findings suggest that cultivation system choice substantially influences tomato productivity through effects on carbon assimilation and biomass accumulation.

Regional applicability

The study was conducted in Guangdong, China, under controlled greenhouse conditions. Whilst the general principles of culture media effects on tomato physiology may have some relevance to United Kingdom protected cultivation (glasshouse and polytunnel horticulture), direct application would require validation under UK climate, cultivars and pest/disease pressures. The Chinese tomato varieties used and subtropical growing conditions limit direct transferability to UK commercial practice.

Key measures

Yield, dry weight accumulation, individual fruit weight, net photosynthetic rate, SPAD value, antioxidant enzyme activity

Outcomes reported

The study measured yield, dry weight accumulation, fruit weight, net photosynthetic rate, SPAD values and antioxidant enzyme activity across three culture media treatments (soil, substrate, hydroponics) in four tomato varieties. Substrate cultivation and hydroponics produced significantly higher yields than soil culture due to enhanced photosynthetic capacity and dry matter accumulation.

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