No abstract

This study is to compare irrigation efficiency between sap flow sensor automated system (SF) and conventional irrigation system based on integrated solar radiation automated system (ISR) in tomato rockwool hydroponics. Total irrigated volumes was higher in the ISR system by 5.0L per plant, a lower drainage rate was found in the SF system, compared to the ISR system. There was no difference in shoot and fruit fresh weights, water use efficiency (WUE) and water amount consumed for producing 200g of tomato fruit. The daily average sap flow density (SFD) was closer to the change of solar irradiance (SI) in the plant grown under the SF system, compared to the ISR system. The correlation coefficient (r 2 ) between the fruit diameter and the volumetric water content during the 56 and 82 days after transplant showed the SF treatment was higher than the ISR at night and daytime, and the correlation was higher at night time. The sap flow density and humidity deficit (HD) of SF treatment was related as closely as the solar irradiance. Further studies should demonstrate that SF irrigation system is a convenient method for hydroponic farmers with advantages, such as growth, higher yield, WUE, and accuracy.

No abstract

This experiment aims to determine the proper irrigation scheduling based on a whole-substrate capaci-