Utilization of zeolites as soil conditioner in tomato-growing

Zeolites (N36), obtained by hydrothermal synthesis from Lipari pumice, have been tested as soil conditioner in tomato-growing. The results have been compared with the raw pumice and a commercial 4-A zeolite. The addition of the zeolite N36 resulted in an average yield of tomato higher than 50% in comparison with the control plant. It is suggested that the exchange properties of the aluminosilicates do not play an important role in tomato-growing and the beneficial effect has to be ascribed to other factors such as the presence of Fe and K. © 1982 Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.