RRL
Cropcare equipment. (n.d.). Types of Soil. Retrieved January 21, 2025. From:
[Link]
Summary:
Understanding the soil types is necessary for optimizing plant growth, as each type possesses
unique characteristics affecting water retention, drainage, and nutrient availability. The primary
soil types include:
• Loamy Soil: A balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, loamy soil is nutrient-rich with good
water retention and drainage. It's ideal for a wide range of plants, including vegetables like
sweet corn, carrots, onions, and cucumbers, as well as berry crops such as strawberries,
blueberries, and blackberries.
• Sandy Soil: Characterized by its coarse, gritty texture, sandy soil has large particles that
promote quick drainage but low nutrient retention. It's suitable for root vegetables like carrots
and radishes, fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes, herbs like thyme and rosemary, and
certain shrubs and bulbs, including hibiscus and tulips.
• Clay Soil: Composed of fine particles, clay soil is dense and retains moisture, making it heavy
and slow-draining. It's ideal for crops like paddy (rice) that require substantial water, as well as
summer crop vegetables, shrubs, and fruit trees that thrive in high moisture conditions.
Instructables. (n.d.). The effect of different types of soil on the growth of plants. Retrieved
January 21, 2025. From [Link]
the-Growt/
Summary:
An experiment detailed on Instructables examined how different soil types—humus, sand, and a
mixture of humus and sand—affect the growth of lentil plants. The findings revealed that lentils
exhibited the most significant growth in humus soil, reaching 12.8 cm after 10 days. In contrast,
lentils grown in the humus and sand mixture attained a height of 10 cm, while those in sand
alone reached only 0.4 cm. These results suggest that humus, rich in essential nutrients,
provides an optimal environment for lentil growth. The addition of sand, intended to improve
aeration, appeared to dilute nutrient availability, leading to reduced growth. Consequently, the
study concludes that humus is the most suitable soil type for cultivating lentils, while sandy soils
are less supportive of their development.
Bonnie Plants (n.d.). Growing tomatoes. Retrieved January 21, 2025. From
[Link]
Summary:
Growing tomatoes successfully involves several key steps:
1. Planting Time: Tomatoes thrive in warm weather. Plant them in late spring to early summer,
except in zone 10, where they are grown as fall and winter crops.
2. Sunlight: Ensure your tomato plants receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to
develop their best flavors.
3. Soil Preparation: Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. For in-ground planting, mix aged
compost or high-quality garden soil into the top layer. In containers, opt for premium potting
mixes.
4. Planting Depth: Bury two-thirds of the tomato plant, either straight down or at an angle, to
encourage robust root development. Removing lower leaves is optional.
5. Spacing: Space indeterminate varieties about 3 feet apart and determinate varieties 2 feet
apart to allow ample growth and air circulation.
6. Support Structures: Install stakes, trellises, or cages during planting to keep plants upright and
prevent fruit from touching the ground.
7. Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture without overwatering. Mulching can help retain
moisture and suppress weeds.
8. Fertilization: Incorporate a continuous-release fertilizer with calcium into the soil at planting
time and continue feeding as directed to support growth and prevent issues like blossom-end
rot.
Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.). Grow your own tomatoes. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from
[Link]
Summary:
This guide from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) provides a comprehensive overview of
growing tomatoes successfully. It covers the basics of choosing, sowing, planting, caring for,
pruning and training, harvesting, and addressing common problems for tomatoes. - Choosing:
The guide emphasizes choosing the right variety for your space. Options include cordon
(indeterminate) for tall, vertical growth and bush (determinate) for compact growth. There's
also a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and flavors available. - Sowing: Tomato seeds are
best sown indoors in warm conditions (18°C) starting in late February to mid-March (for
greenhouse) or late March to early April (for outdoors). After a few weeks, they should be
transplanted into individual pots. - Planting: Tomato plants can be planted outdoors in early
summer, choosing a warm, sunny, sheltered location. They can be grown in pots or bags in
greenhouses or outdoors. - Care: Regular watering, feeding with a high potassium fertilizer, and
mulching are key for successful tomato growth. - Pruning and Training: Cordon tomatoes require
training to grow vertically on a single stem, with side shoots removed regularly. Bush tomatoes,
however, can be left to grow more naturally. - Harvesting: Tomatoes can be harvested once ripe
and fully colored. - Problems: The guide outlines common problems like blossom end rot and
blight, offering solutions for each.
Shwerif, Najia, Abdunnapi Elghammudi, Samaher Abosnena, and Amna Alfaid. Effect of Different
Types of Soil on the Growth and Productivity of Tomato Solanum lycopersicum [Link] Grande in
Libya
Summary:
A study at Gharyan University investigated the impact of different soil types (clay, sand, and
compost) on tomato growth. The results showed that compost significantly improved tomato
growth parameters (seedling number, plant height, leaf and fruit count) compared to clay and
sand, with clay yielding the poorest results. Clay and sand soils even prevented flower and fruit
production. The study concludes that soil quality is a crucial factor influencing tomato growth
and yield.
