The goal of our research is to determine how the incorporation of mineral wool originated from hydroponics impacts the yield and main industrial processing parameters of tomato. The experiment aims the examination of mineral wood used in the forcing of plants from the aspect of reusability. As far as we know, nobody has ever examined the possibility of mineral wool incorporation in Hungary. The research has been implemented within the framework of EFOP-3.6.1-16-2016-00016 and has been supported by NAIK ZÖKO (Vegetable Crop Research Department of National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre). We consider this research as a preliminary experiment taking into account the small scale on whish it has been realised. The experiment was conducted in Kalocsa, using Unorosso F1 tomato variety grown on poor quality, slightly alkaline alluvial soil. Prior to planting mineral wool has been incorporated in the soil. Trickle irrigation has been applied in the involved parcels after themain flowering using 50% of the total water demand of the plants. They received nutrients necessary for their development according to the preliminarily implemented soil analysis. In the vegetation period 70% of the total nutrient requirements (nitrogen: 38 g/m2; phosphorous: 8 g/m2; potassium: 55 g/m2) has been dispensed until the main flowering. The remaining amount has been provided during the fruit growing and ripening phase with the prevalence of potassium. Bands were created for the experiment with four repetitions. The trickle irrigation system was the reason for this pattern, since it was a less labour-intensive task to dispense the exact amount of water and nutrients. Water supply has been determined by tensiometers and the specific water demand. Water meters attached to the irrigation system measured the amount of water used. Beside the parcels with incorporated mineral wool other oneswere observed as control. In these parcels no mineral wool has been used, the irrigation was 0%, 50% or 100% of the water demand. Seedlings were planted later than usual. Harvest started in the beginning of September. We tried to simulate machine harvesting conditions. Berries were shaken off the cut plants and were sorted by colour: ripened, burgeoned, green and unhealthy ones were separated. Precipitation was extremely high in Kalocsa following the main flowering period.The amount of rain exceeds 30 mm in five occasions. Thus, water was not a limiting factor. No considerable differences were observed regarding the effects of the different treatments, although it can be stated that the mineral wool provided more balanced water supply for the plants. The colour-based classification of berries indicated that good water supply can increase the number of burgeoned and green products. When growing plants outdoor, the effects of the given vintage cannot be excluded. Since it remarkably influences our current and future results the continuation of this experiment is justified. Mineral wool used in this preliminary experiment has an impact on the structure and mineral content of soil, too. It is important to examine mineral wool as a horticultural by-product to reveal the consequences of its use regarding plants, soils and the creatures living in them.

tomato, minetal wool, irrigation, yield

field crops and pastures

Presentation: poster