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Trichoderma harzianum was applied to seedling growing media (a peat and soil-based mixture or greenhouse soil) at the time of sowing, at transplanting to vials and at planting. The factorial experiment using 2 seedling growing media, 2 cultivars and 4 dosages of T. harzianum at 0 (control), 4 g/m2, 10 g/m2 and 24 g/m2 showed that the Trichoderma dosage had no significant effect on the yield or fruit quality. None of the 3 factor interactions between the criteria studied, that is, total yield, marketable yield, early yield, individual fruit weight, total soluble solids and titratable acidity, were significant except for fruit diameter. The 3 factor combination of Peat × Belleveu F1 × 10 g/m2 resulted in the highest total yield, marketable yield and early yield with 1552, 1373 and 681 g/plant, respectively. The interaction between media and cultivars was significant for all the yield characteristics studied. However, the main effect of T. harzianum on early yield was the highest at 4 g/m2, producing 527 g/plant in comparison to the control with 374 g/plant. It was, therefore, hypothesised that the positive effect of T. harzianum, observed in the early yield, may be extended to the whole growing period by further applications, that is, by periodical renewal of the T. harzianum population at the root zone.

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The aim of the study was to determine the effects of chlormequat chloride and different rates of prohexadione-calcium on seedling growth, flowering and fruit development and yield characteristics of tomato under conventionally poor growing conditions in an unheated greenhouse in Tekirdag, Turkey (40°59' N, 27°29' E). The effects of medium drench and spray applications of chlormequat chloride (2000 mg l-1) and different rates of prohexadione-calcium [(Regalis ®)(50, 100, 200, 250, 300, 100 × 2, 125 × 2 and 150 × 2 mg l-1)] were evaluated. Chlormequat chloride and prohexadione-calcium effected seedling height, seedling diameter, number of leaves, chlorophyll, total and early yields, fruit diameter, percentage of fruits falling into the weight classes and flowering, and fruit development of tomato. In exception of 4 of 16 treatments, prohexadione-calcium, as well as chlormequat chloride, reduced seedling height related to control. The highest total yield was observed with chlormequat chloride and medium drench and spray applications of 100 and 300 mg l-1 and spray application of 100 × 2 mg l-1 prohexadione-calcium (pro-Ca). The lowest average fruit weight was from 150 × 2 mg l-1 and control plots. Fruit diameters were larger with the most of the pro-Ca rates in comparison to the control plants. In some pro-Ca treatments, flowers in the first florescences remained either at anthesis or fruit set stage throughout the growing period. Nevertheless, flower and fruit developments were normal in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th trusses in these treatments.

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla Moq.), which is grown as a vegetable in Turkey and well adapted to the Marmara region, was used in our experiments. Provided by a producer, chard seedlings were grown in 6 L plastic bags in a non-heated plastic greenhouse. Starting from the 4-5 true-leaf stage to harvest, sodium chloride (NaCl)-added tap water at 5 different electricity conductivity (EC) values [(0. 4 (tap water, control), 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS/m)] was used as irrigation water. The results showed that the EC of the irrigation water affected some of the morphological and physiological properties of chard. An increase in the EC value of irrigation water led to a decrease in the number of leaves, leaf weight, leaf area, plant length, root length, chlorophyll content and increase in the injury level in the leaves and leaf thickness of Swiss chard. The changes observed upon the application of irrigation water with an EC of 16 dS/m were 50% greater than those observed in the control plants, whereas irrigation water with an EC of 32 dS/m results in severe discoloration and yellowing, but the plant was still alive. Therefore, chard growing can be suggested in agricultural areas with salinity problems.