Advances in soilless cultivation of tomatoes and other fruit vegetables

Description

Fruit vegetables are a rich nutritive source for the human diet and highly appreciated for their taste. Tomato, sweet pepper or cucumber crops have specific growth requirements linked to their physiology and their architecture (plant bearing fruits). Soilless culture system (SCS) are characterized by high performance, product quality and profitability for growers and solves agronomical issues such as input use efficiencies and out-of-season production. Recent advances in soilless cultivation of fruit vegetables are reviewed in this chapter: from climate and nutrients requirements to ‘speaking plant’-based approaches and establishment of fruit quality.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Soilless culture systems 3 Climatic requirements 4 Nutrient solutions and substrates 5 Managing climate and fertigation according to plant needs 6 Pre-harvest and post-harvest factors affecting product quality management 7 Case study: adapting light spectrum to apical bud and fruit requirements using light-emitting diode (LED) lighting 8 Conclusions and future trends 9 Where to look for further information 10 References