Analysis of ´Coronel´ hybrid fertigated tomato growth and nutrient uptake rate

Abstract

'Coronel' hybrid tomato is grown in approximately 80% of salad tomato crops in three Southern Brazil states. Shoot and fruit biomass, as well as nutrient uptake rate, are parameters adopted in decision-making processes focused on crop fertilization recommendations. The aim of the current study is to determine shoot and fruit dry mass, as well as nutrient accumulation in leaves, stems and fruits throughout the 'Coronel' hybrid tomato production cycle. The experiment was carried out in Typic Hapludox soil, in Caçador County-SC. It followed a randomized block design, with 4 replicates. Treatments comprised 10 different collection times (14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112, 126 and 140 days after planting). Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number and fresh mass of green and ripe fruits, were assessed at each sampling date. Total, commercial (extra AA and extra A) and non-commercial yield, as well as mean commercial fruit mass (extra AA and extra A), were assessed. Nutrient contents were determined in different plant organs. Fruit fresh mass reached 14.17 kg plant^-1, at 140 days after transplanting (DAT). If one takes into consideration the population of 11,111 plants ha^-1, it corresponds to production of 157.44 t ha^-1. K was the nutrient recording the highest accumulation rate in the shoot dry mass (480.2 kg ha^-1) at 140 DAT; it was followed by N (342.4 kg ha^-1), Ca (199.9 kg ha^-1), Mg (57.0 kg ha^-1) and P (43.6 kg ha^-1).