The Effects of Different Growing Media and Humic Acid Applications on the Growth of Tomato Plants

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different growing media (peat + perlite, cocopeat, hazelnut husk, rock wool) and different humic acid doses (2, 4, and 8 ml L-1) on tomato plant growth. The performance of the seedlings from planting to fruit set was evaluated to determine the growth of the tomato plant. For this purpose; stem diameter (mm), plant height (cm), leaf number, first flowering, first fruit set, total plant dry weight (g), root volume (m3), and relative growth rate (g cm-2 days-1) parameters were examined. According to the results, the highest stem diameter of 15 mm was obtained in the hazelnut husk media at a dose of 4 ml L-1 of humic acid. As a result, while the best root growth was obtained at 2 ml L-1 humic acid doses in peat-perlite media, the fastest growth and N (3.33%), P (0.58%) and K (3.91%) content were obtained at 8 ml L-1 humic acid doses in cocopeat media. The best leafing, flowering and fruit set were obtained in hazelnut husk media with 2 ml L-1 humic acid doses. As a result, the highest relative growth rate (0.064 g cm-2 days-1) was determined at 8 ml L-1 doses of humic acid applied in the cocopeat media.