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Spatio-temporal variations in nutrient concentration in soil solution under greenhouse tomato

Abstract:

The aim of this trial was to study the spatio-temporal variability in solution nutrient concentration under intensive greenhouse tomato production, to determine the number of suction-cups needed to obtain a representative sample and the influence by the position in the greenhouses. Twenty sampling points were selected within the greenhouse with one suction-cup per sampling point. One soil solution were sampled per point at weekly intervals to analyze for pH, electrical conductivity, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (EC, Cl−, NO3−, H2PO4−, SO42—, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) concentrations. The pH, Cl−, H2PO4−, and SO42− concentrations showed no spatio-temporal variation but EC, NO3−, and K+ showed temporal variation. The spatial variability in EC, K+, Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ can be influenced by microclimate and topography. The numbers of suction cups required for a representative sample ranged from 1 to 10 depending on nutrient.