Which structure should I use when producing tomatoes?

There are three common greenhouse structures: glasshouses, poly houses, and net houses. All three are suitable for producing tomatoes.The questions you should ask are: What are the local environmental conditions? How much do I want to/can I invest? Glasshouse structures are suitable for commercial production of tomatoes in mild to cold climates (heavy snow load) and require high investment. Poly houses are suitable for diverse climatic conditions, and net houses will be more suitable for dry or hotter climate conditions (non-rainy climates).

What is the average yield with different greenhouse structures and technologies, assuming climate conditions are optimal?

Net houses: 10 to 15 kg/m2 (short cycle crop).Low-tech / simple poly houses: 25 to 30 kg/m2 per year (1 long cycle of 10-11 months, or two short cycles of five months each).High-tech greenhouses with climate control system: 40 to 70 kg/m2 (1 long cycle of 10 months).

What is the growth cycle of greenhouse tomatoes?

Short cycle: 140 to 150 days from planting to harvest.Long cycle: 10 to 11 growing months, including nine months of harvesting.

How do EC and pH affect my greenhouse tomatoes?

Ensuring the right EC, pH, and nutrient levels in the root zone is critical for fast-growing and high-yielding crops. This is especially true when growing in soilless media, since the growing medium has low buffer capabilities and demands a fast and precise reaction. You need a system that can react quickly to any change, be it crop stage or climate. This can be the difference between winning and losing. Precision drip systems are based on non-drainage drippers, designed for pulse irrigation and special dosing systems that allow you to keep all parameters exactly where you need them, and react to changes on demand.

What are the benefits of Compensated Non-Leakage (CNL) drippers?

Irrigation of soilless media is characterised by short irrigation pulses (minutes). With CNL drippers, you increase Nutrugation™ uniformity by eliminating the refilling time of the system and preventing system drainage. This means that all the drippers start and stop at exactly the same time every irrigation cycle, guaranteeing equal quantities of water and fertiliser to all plants.

MEET DEMAND WITH BETTER TOMATOES

Producing greenhouse tomatoes demands big investment. It’s a game of driving high, quality yields from every square metre to meet consumer demand and maximise return on investment. For optimal conditions, you need the right structure, agro-technical solutions, tools and agronomic knowledge.

Optimal Conditions for Tomatoes

The science of irrigation and plant nutrition
Producing food crops in a controlled environment, especially in soilless media, requires ultimate precision in water and nutrient application. The use of advanced non-leakage drippers combined with multi-channel nutrient dosing machines allows you to perfectly control the root zone environment and push your plants to the max.
Take control with smart insights from digital tools
React immediately with insights on crops, substrates and climate. A complete command and control system will let you activate climate control, irrigation scheduling and fertiliser dosing units.
A wealth of experience and agronomic know-how
Making the right decisions while your tomatoes are growing is important. Netafim™’s renowned experts are there to guide you with an ongoing production strategy - every step of the way.

Greenhouse Tomatoes FAQs

There are three common greenhouse structures: glasshouses, poly houses, and net houses. All three are suitable for producing tomatoes.

The questions you should ask are:
- What are the local environmental conditions?
- How much do I want to/can I invest?
Glasshouse structures are suitable for commercial production of tomatoes in mild to cold climates (heavy snow load) and require high investment. Poly houses are suitable for diverse climatic conditions, and net houses will be more suitable for dry or hotter climate conditions (non-rainy climates).
- Net houses: 10 to 15 kg/m² (short cycle crop).
- Low-tech / simple poly houses: 25 to 30 kg/m² per year (1 long cycle of 10-11 months, or two short cycles of five months each).
- High-tech greenhouses with climate control system: 40 to 70 kg/m² (1 long cycle of 10 months).
- Short cycle: 140 to 150 days from planting to harvest.
- Long cycle: 10 to 11 growing months, including nine months of harvesting.
Ensuring the right EC, pH, and nutrient levels in the root zone is critical for fast-growing and high-yielding crops. This is especially true when growing in soilless media, since the growing medium has low buffer capabilities and demands a fast and precise reaction. You need a system that can react quickly to any change, be it crop stage or climate. This can be the difference between winning and losing. Precision drip systems are based on non-drainage drippers, designed for pulse irrigation and special dosing systems that allow you to keep all parameters exactly where you need them, and react to changes on demand.
Irrigation of soilless media is characterised by short irrigation pulses (minutes). With CNL drippers, you increase Nutrugation™ uniformity by eliminating the refilling time of the system and preventing system drainage. This means that all the drippers start and stop at exactly the same time every irrigation cycle, guaranteeing equal quantities of water and fertiliser to all plants.

Do you have more questions?

Recommended Solutions for Greenhouse Tomatoes

PCJ Online

Pressure-compensated drippers – with an optional anti-drain feature – designed to give you 100% uniformity in water and nutrient distribution. These drippers are constantly self-cleaning to prevent clogging.

Ideal for greenhouses and nurseries.

Uniram™

Pressure-compensated, heavy wall dripperlines – designed to handle low water quality and the most difficult environments and topographies. Ideal for orchards, vineyards and greenhouses.

Aries™

Medium and heavy wall dripperlines – perfect if you’re looking for durability, longevity and clogging resistance in challenging water conditions when irrigating on flat topographies. Ideal for subsurface drip, orchards, vineyards, field crops and greenhouses in permanent irrigation systems.

SpinNet™

This bridgeless micro-sprinkler is designed to operate in upside-down stands. It creates a perfect water distribution pattern with absolutely no drops that can damage delicate plants below.

Vibronet™

The smartest solution for germinating protected crops. VibroNet™ uses vibration to create a jet of uniform, evenly spread droplets – and prevent the build-up of mineral deposits that could clog the nozzle.

CoolNet™

A super-fine mister that delivers micro-sized droplets at a low pressure of 4.0 bar. It helps to ensure uniform distribution of water, efficient cooling or humidification.

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