Modified Aeroponics System for Continuous Measurement of Plant Water Uptake and Plant-Water Relation Studies on Tomato Grown Under Salinity Stress.

Aeroponics is a plant growing system in which plants are suspended in air inside a chamber where nutrient solution is intermittently applied onto the roots in the form of fine mists.  This study was initiated to evaluate the newly designed aeroponics system (ECOPOD) on growth and development of tomato plants grown under salinity stress in comparison with the conventional method (soil) and to test the system for continuous measurement of transpiration. Tomatoes were grown in controlled green house under EC levels of 1.5, 4.5 and 9 dSm^-1. Generally, aeroponics system resulted in higher transpiration, water productivity (WP), plant height, plant biomass and fruit yield of tomatoes than the soil. Highest transpiration was recorded in A1.5 followed by A4.5 and S1.5. WUE and WP of tomatoes grown in A4.5 were highest followed by A1.5 and A9. Soil was more sensitive to salinity when sensitivity was based on total dry matter but when sensitivity was based on transpiration; the sensitive difference between the two systems was minimal. Non-significant difference was observed between the two systems for photosynthetic efficiency, photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content, intrinsic WUE and total soluble solid. In this study, we have modified the aeroponics system to be used as a tool for continuous measurement of plant transpiration.