Effect of Different Types of Soil on the Growth & Productivity of Tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. Rio Grande in Libya

Abstract

The growth performance of plants varies in different environments and is strongly influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors. This, in turn affects the composition of the active compounds which are the product of metabolism (such as photosynthesis, respiration, etc.).  Soil quality is considered to be important factor that negatively affect plant growth and productivity.  Tomatoes are widely produced and consumed due to their high nutritional value and its important compounds have a role in the prevention of many diseases.  Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of three different soil types (clay, sand and compost) on growth and yield parameters of tomato Solanum lycopersicum var.Rio Grande. The experiment was done on the Faculty of Science in Gharyan University (April 2017). The tomatoes were grown in pots; twelve replications were used for each group of soils.  Growth parameters such as number of seedling, plant height, number of leaves and number of fruits were recorded.  The results indicated that soil quality hada highly significant effect (P < 0.001) on growth parameters. Compost was the optimal soil types for growth performance and production of tomatoes, while the growth performance was reduced in clay and sand soil. By contrast, tomatoes that grew in clay soil showed the least growth performance. On the other hand, tomato plants cultivated in clay and sand soil failed in production of flowers and fruits, unlike tomatoes grown in compost. Overall, soil quality and properties have affected tomato growth performance and productivity.