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<p>Reducing, reusing, and recycling are the three fundamental principles, of which the circular economy aims to maximise. This approach uses by-products as a raw material to produce new products. Coconut coir, a by-product of coconut fruit (<i>Cocos nucifera</i> L.), is an organic substrate made from the fruit’s mesocarp, or outer husk, and is thought to have environmental benefits due to its re-usability. Due to its excellent air-porosity, ranging from 28 to 95%, the substrate provides an excellent growing environment for healthy plants. Most growers have adopted the use of organic substrates in greenhouse crop production to minimise costs since they are re-usable. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of coconut coir substrates on the physiological processes, yield, and nutritional contribution of tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> var. <i>esculentum</i>) cultivated in greenhouse environment. Two coconut coir substrates with different air-filled porosity, and nutrient qualities were compared with the standard loam soil. The study revealed that tomato plants grown in coconut coir substrates with moderate air-filled porosity (AFP 28%) had higher fruit number compared to other treatments. Fruit grown in coconut coir with good air-filled porosity (AFP 33%) exhibited higher lycopene (87&#xa0;mg/100&#xa0;g DW) compared to other treatments. Thus, it can be deduced that tomatoes grown in coconut coir substrates (AFP 28 and 33%) have a potential to yield more fruits that are higher in nutrients. Therefore, large-scale validation studies should be conducted to corroborate this study's preliminary findings.</p>

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The effect of varying coconut coir substrates and loam soil on the physiology, and biochemical constituents of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. esculentum) grown under greenhouse environment

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月25日

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  • Jeffrey Thema Mogale,
  • Mdungazi Knox Maluleke

摘要

Reducing, reusing, and recycling are the three fundamental principles, of which the circular economy aims to maximise. This approach uses by-products as a raw material to produce new products. Coconut coir, a by-product of coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera L.), is an organic substrate made from the fruit’s mesocarp, or outer husk, and is thought to have environmental benefits due to its re-usability. Due to its excellent air-porosity, ranging from 28 to 95%, the substrate provides an excellent growing environment for healthy plants. Most growers have adopted the use of organic substrates in greenhouse crop production to minimise costs since they are re-usable. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of coconut coir substrates on the physiological processes, yield, and nutritional contribution of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. esculentum) cultivated in greenhouse environment. Two coconut coir substrates with different air-filled porosity, and nutrient qualities were compared with the standard loam soil. The study revealed that tomato plants grown in coconut coir substrates with moderate air-filled porosity (AFP 28%) had higher fruit number compared to other treatments. Fruit grown in coconut coir with good air-filled porosity (AFP 33%) exhibited higher lycopene (87 mg/100 g DW) compared to other treatments. Thus, it can be deduced that tomatoes grown in coconut coir substrates (AFP 28 and 33%) have a potential to yield more fruits that are higher in nutrients. Therefore, large-scale validation studies should be conducted to corroborate this study's preliminary findings.