Effect of blended freshwater on growth and development of Solanum lycopersicum

Abstract

A total of 175 Solanum lycopersicum plants were grown to study the physiological characteristics of the species grown with unconventional water. All plants in the five treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), at the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Environmental Science (AAES) greenhouse. Each treatment had 35 plants with five replications. The treatments that were diluted from 53.065 mS/cm seawater included: 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% and a freshwater control. Plants were treated weekly and data collection occurred within the same period. Physiological and growth medium parameters measured include height, changes in electrical conductivity of the soil and water, changes in soil pH, total chlorophyll content, transpiration rates, leaf area and fruit yield. Statistical analysis of data showed significant differences in the electrical conductivity of the growth medium with increase in seawater concentration, but no significant differences existed between the other parameters measured