Different Nutritional Regimes in a Tomato Soilless System Affect the Bacterial Communities with Consequences on the Crop Quality

Summary

This study investigates the impact of different nutritional regimes on the bacterial communities within the root-growing substrate of a soilless tomato production system and the effects on crop quality. The experiment was conducted with two tomato varieties, Conchita and Sweetelle, under three nutritional treatments: standard, nutrient solution with 20% increased salts and nitrogen and supplementation with the biostimulant Bio-algeen S-90. Bacterial communities in the root substrate were influenced by both the tomato variety and the nutritional regime. Sweetelle exhibited more pronounced shifts in bacterial communities compared to Conchita. An overall increase in bacterial populations with time was observed (+0.38 Log). Specifically, the 20% enhanced nutrient solution had varying effects o