Effect of Fertigation and Soilless Media on Pigments and Economics of Hydroponic Tomato

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of different fertigation levels and soilless media on photosynthetic pigments and economics of hydroponically grown tomato under protected conditions. The experiment comprised three fertigation schedules, viz., 50% fresh nutrient solution + 50% leachate (F₁), 75% fresh nutrient solution + 25% leachate (F₂) and 100% fresh nutrient solution (F₃), along with five growing media namely vermiculite, cocopeat, vermicompost, vermiculite + cocopeat + vermicompost and soil control. Results revealed that fertigation levels and growing media significantly influenced photosynthetic pigments and economic returns. Among fertigation treatments, F₃ recorded the highest chlorophyll a (0.511 mg g⁻¹), chlorophyll b (0.609 mg g⁻¹) and carotenoid content (2.74 mg 100 g⁻¹). Among growing media, cocopeat recorded maximum chlorophyll a (0.551 mg g⁻¹), chlorophyll b (0.643 mg g⁻¹) and carotenoids (2.98 mg 100 g⁻¹). The interaction treatment F₃M₂ (100% fresh nutrient solution + cocopeat) produced the highest chlorophyll a (0.579 mg g⁻¹), chlorophyll b (0.655 mg g⁻¹) and carotenoids (3.36 mg 100 g⁻¹). Economic analysis indicated that cocopeat combined with 100% fresh nutrient solution resulted in the highest gross return (₹152,628 per 140 m²), net return (₹111,657.48 per 140 m²) and benefit-cost ratio (2.73). It may be concluded that cocopeat in combination with 100% fresh nutrient solution is an efficient and economically viable strategy for improving photosynthetic efficiency and profitability of hydroponic tomato cultivation under protected conditions.