ISHS Acta Horticulturae 449: II International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops
EFFECT OF FERTIGATION ON PROCESSING TOMATO PRODUCTION IN TWO SANDY LOAM SOILS |
| Authors: | A. Liptay, C.S. Tan, T.J. Jewett, C. Drury, I. van Wesenbeeck |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon esculentum, soil texture, soil water content, yield |
| Abstract:
Processing tomatoes are a high-value crop grown on coarse-textured soils in southwestern Ontario. A fertigation management system which applies water and nutrients directly to the crop root zone is a promising technique for reducing variability in yields because of soil type. The objectives of this study were to examine the physical parameters of the two soil types and to compare the response of processing tomato yields to fertigation in the two soils. There were small differences in soil texture between the two soils, however, they had quite different water holding capacities. Both soils were classified as Harrow Sandy Loam. Soil A had slightly lower sand content and higher silt and organic carbon content than soil B. The bulk densities of the soils were similar. Soil A had a 50% greater water holding capacity than soil B. Tomato yields under non-irrigated control treatments in soil A were 11.7 t/ha higher than in soil B. Fertigation treatments had resulted in the highest yields in both soils. In particular, fertigation (100 ppm) increased yields by 45% for soil B versus 23% for soil A. Soil B had certain physical property limitations for crop production that were alleviated with the application of water and nutrients. | |
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