THE GROWTH OF BEEFSTEAK TOMATO AS AFFECTED BY K/CA RATIOS IN THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION

The course of the K and Ca uptake was affected by the fruit load of the crop.

The results showed that the ratio between uptake of nutrients and water was closely related with radiation and plant age. Element contents in tissues of older plants were lower than in comparable tissues of younger plants. These facts lead to the supposition that with increasing plant age, plants become less effective in the absorption of nutrients.

Production was adversely affected by low K as well as by low Ca. Fruit quality improved with increasing K supply.

The analytical data of tissue analysis showed a close relationship between the contents of K and Ca in laminae, petioles and fruits and the quantities of these elements supplied. However, with increasing concentrations of K, saturation effects appeared, while for Ca the contents in the tissue consistently increased with increasing supply.

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