Effect of potassium nutrition on tomato plant growth and fruit development

Abstract

The effect of K nutrition on the growth in sand culture of young tomato plants, cv. Amberley Cross, was examined and the concentrations of K in the nutrient feed and in the leaves associated with maximum flower number, fruit set and yield were determined. The distribution of K between and within fruit trusses of normal and K-deficient plants, cv. Amberley Cross and Moneymaker grown in peat/loam was also studied. Total dry weights of 6-wk-old plants grown in sand were maximal when the nutrient feed contained 0.53-5.03 me K+/1, although plants receiving 10.23 me K+/1 retained more water in the foliage and therefore had the greatest foliage fresh weight. Both peduncle length and height of the basal truss were increased by K in the feed up to 10.23 me/l, the highest concentration used. Flower development was retarded below 0.53 me K+/1, and fruit setting efficiency was reduced below 2.03 me K+/1. Fruit ripened faster on plants receiving low concentrations of K. Maximum fruit yields were produced on plants grown ill sand receiving 5.03 or 10.23 me K+/1.

Effect of Foliar Spray of Chemicals on Flowering and Fruiting in Litchi

“…When potassium uptake is lower than demand, foliar potassium is mobilized to the fruit, which is detrimental for plant growth and fruit set and quality (Besford and Maw, 1975). Pre-harvest sprays of potassium and growth regulators are one of the most important practices of the new strategies applied in the integrated fruit production systems, improving fruit quality (Mandal et al, 2012).…”

Low Potassium Content Vegetables Research For Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Japan

“…46,47 Voogt and Sonneveld 48 found that with increases in tomato plant growth, potassium absorption increases to a relatively greater extent than that of other nutrients. In other studies, it was found that potassium requirement of greenhouse tomatoes is high for vegetative growth, 49,50 fruit production, 51 and fruit quality. 52,53 Lower potassium levels in the culture solution may limit its assimilation into plant parts and retard plant growth, flower development, and fruit set.…”

“…52,53 Lower potassium levels in the culture solution may limit its assimilation into plant parts and retard plant growth, flower development, and fruit set. 51 It has direct effects on the partitioning of dry matter to the fruits and roots, and the growth of these organs is inhibited at lower potassium 54 and also fruit quality. 52,55 During the reproductive growth periods, fruits are the strongest sink for both carbon assimilates and potassium, therefore, quantitative management potassium in the culture solution is important option for producing low potassium fruits.…”

Yield Comparison Between two Varieties of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) under the Influence of NPK

“…Low yield of tomato may be attributed to several factors such as nutritional deficiencies, pest and disease attack, inadequate irrigation, incorrect time of planting etc. Improvement in tomato yield with the application of N, P, K fertilizers has been reported by Besford and Maw (1975), Adams et al (1978), Asi and Amjad (1985) and Maynard (1994). The present study was under taken to determine the effect of NPK on tomato plants by using them independently under normal field conditions.…”