Effect of different substrates on yield and quality of tomato

Two experiments were conducted in a plastic and a glass greenhouses to test different substrates in tomato growing. Peat + volcanic tuff + spent mushroom compost (1:1:1), volcanic tuff + spent mushroom compost (1:1), peat + volcanic tuff (1:1), and volcanic tuff were used in both trials. In addition to those, spent mushroom compost and peat in the plastichouse, and rockwool in the glasshouse were also tested. In both trials, plants grown in soil were evaluated as control. Peat + volcanic tuff + spent mushroom compost (1:1:1) gave the highest early and total yields in both greenhouses. Early and total yields were higher in all substrates compared to the yield obtained from soil grown plants. Fruit weight also increased in plants grown in substrates compared to soil and the heaviest fruits were harvested from the plants grown in peat + volcanic tuff + spent mushroom compost (1:1:1). In terms of fruit quality (TSS, TA, pH and vitamin C) there were no significant differences between the substrates and soil.