Tomato growing under outdoor field conditions compared to greenhouse growing with hydroponics

Abstract

Tomato (S. ycopersicum) is a vegetable fruit crop in the family of Solanaceae and it is grown worldwide for its fruits, with numerous cultivars been selected with varying fruit types, and for optimum growth in different growing conditions. It is one of the most important crops in Europe and especially in Greece. Soilless or hydroponics cultivation is the use of any plant culture method in which there is no use of natural soil or special soil mixtures albeit nutrient rich conditions are present. Hydroponic culture is a constantly developing method because optimized environment conditions achieve increased plant yields and improve the product quality. This study investigates the literature for the characteristics of growing tomatoes in field and greenhouses with hydroponics and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods.