Growth and yield of tomato(solanum lycopersicum) cultivators as affected by hydroponic nutrient solutions

A study was carried out at the Kwara State University Teaching and Research Farm, between February and June 2024 to investigate the growth and fruit yield of tomato cultivars (Diva F1 and Rio grande) under different hydroponic solutions (Bic liquid and Bic granule). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. The pH of the nutrient solution during the study ranges between 6.4 -6.7 while the EC ranges between 2.10 dSm-1 – 3.02 dSm-1.Except at 2WAT, the hydroponic solution in a liquid form significantly had fewer leaves than the granular nutrient solution in the Diva F1 tomato cultivar. The tomato cultivar under the granular solution took more days to attain flowering and fruiting than the liquid solution. Similarly, Diva F1 significantly attained flowering and fruiting earlier than the Rio Grande. Under the two nutrient solutions, the highest fruit yield in the Diva F1 was obtained in the granular nutrient solution whereas the higher fruit yield from the Rio grande cultivar was recorded in a liquid nutrient solution. In general, highest fruit yield was obtained from the Rio grande under granular nutrient solution. Rio grande under granular Bic solution is therefore recommended for growers in hydroponic system.