Feasibility Study for Nutrition of Two Varieties of Tomato in a Hydroponic System Using Vinasse

Vinasse, a waste material from the alcohol industry, is known as an environmental problem. This research was conducted to investigate the possibility of using Vinasse as nutrient for hydroponic cultivation of two tomato varieties Vilmorin and Cherry in sand culture in pots. The experiment was conducted as split plot in completely randomized design with six levels of Vinasse solution including 0, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 percent and one level of control treatment with complete nutrient solution of the brand “Kombi” in four replications. The studied parameters included the total number of green, yellow and dry leaves, stem height and diameter, chlorophyll a and b content, and the surface of leaves. The results showed that the usage of Vinasse significantly affected the number of green and yellow leaves, length and diameter, as well as leaf area. However, no significant effect was seen on chlorophyll a and b and total leaves. The usage of 25 percent of Vinasse increased total number of leaves, and green leaves by 42 and 29.4 percent respectively in the Cherry variety. The highest number of yellow leaves was observed in Vilmorin. Stem height and diameter increase in Vilmorin were 75 and 6.2 percent, and in Cherry were 79.8 and 4.4 percent respectively when 25 percent of Vinasse was applied compared to control. Hence, using Vinasse as a nutrient solution is possible with regard to the type of plants, amount of mixing, and the likelihood of pollution caused by this application.