Influence of the Concentrations of Nutrient Solution and Salt Supplement on Quality and Yield of Cherry Tomato Grown Hydroponically

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the concentration of nutrient solution and application of sodium chloride and potassium chloride on the soluble solids content, titratable acidity, weight, dry matter content of cherry tomato fruit and yield. By increasing the concentration of nutrient solution to 1.5 or 2.0 times of the standard concentration (control), the soluble solids content and titratable acidity in the fruits increased more between the immature-green and fully ripe stage than did the control fruits. These responses suggest that fruit quality was improved. However, the fruit weight tended to decrease at high concentrations of solution, resulting in a sub-optimal yield. Sodium chloride (1000 or 2000 ppm) and potassium chloride (600 or 1200 ppm) were added to the standard nutrient solution. Adding 2000 ppm sodium chloride or 1200 ppm potassium chloride enhanced the soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and dry matter content of fruit; the degree of enhancement was higher than that when plants were cultured in a solution twice the standard concentration. The addition of potassium chloride noticeably increased the acidity but fruit weight and yield tended to decrease slightly.