ISHS Acta Horticulturae 319: International Symposium on Transplant Production Systems
OPTIMAL MINERAL NUTRITION OF TOMATO TRANSPLANTS IN THE GREENHOUSE FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD |
| Authors: | A. Liptay, S. Nicholls, P. Sikkema |
| Abstract:
Mineral nutrition of tomato seedlings in the glasshouse affected the survival and performance of transplants once they were sett outdoors in the field. Varying N feeding had a major effect on the seedlings both in the greenhouse and outdoors. Root and shoot growth in the field increased with increasing N levels from 50 to 350 mg·liter-1 fed to the seedlings in the greenhouse. Survival of the seedlings in the field was highly correlated with the structural strength of the seedling stems. Early yield increased with increasing N levels while total yields were similar at all N feedings. Optimal N feeding was between 100 to 200 mg·liter-1. Varying P from 5 to 200 mg·liter-1 had no effect on seedling performance either in the glasshouse or outdoors. However, seedling growth was affected by varying P feedings in the 0 to 5 mg·liter-1 range. Root growth in the field and early yields were reduced at levels below 2 mg·liter-1. There was no interaction between N and P in seedling response. Potassium, at low levels <100 mg·liter-1 reduced growth only slightly; at very high K levels, eg 2000 mg·liter-1, ie high electrical conductivities, growth was reduced, however burning of tissue by high salt levels was a problem. There was no difference in yields with varying K levels. Overall a compromised balance in mineral feeding had to take a number of factors into consideration ie height control in the glasshouse, outdoor survival from wind and sandblasting effects and field growth and yield. | |
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