RELATION OF APPLIED NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM TO YIELD, QUALITY AND LFAF CG1POSITI~ OF THE GREENHOUSE TCMATO

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1 RELATO OF APPLED TROGE AD POTASSUM TO YELD, QUALTY AD LFAF CG1POST~ OF THE GREEHOUSE TCMATO Freeman S. Howlett Dale W. Kretchman Deparbnent of Horticulture Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center Wooster, Ohio Horticulture Mimeograph Series o. 356 February 4, 1969 ;.

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3 Chart 1 Relation of itrogen and Potassium Applications to Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomatoes Spring Crop 1966 The experimental work is being conducted in the Greenhouse o. 1 of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at Wooster. Ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate were applied February 8, March 1, March 22 and April 12. Total applied in pounds for S treatments is as follows: Treatment Ammonium itrate (lbs) Treatment P.otassiUDl Sulfate (lbs) The data obtained have been subjected to statistical analysis. particular results reported for this crop involve the effect of the applications of nitrogen and potassium on the following yield and quality aspects: The OHO-DAA HYBRD 0 umber of fruits per plant With the lower applications of nitrogen the number of fruits increased. This was followed by a marked decrease as a result of applying the larger quantities. Weight of fruits per plant A similar effect of increasing nitrogen was obtained. Total defects per fruit Total defects increased with added nitrogen throughout the entire range. defects At the lower levels of applied potassium/were greater in number than at the 3 highest levels.

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5 Chart 1 Cant'd Puffiness Puffiness was affected by both added nitrogen and potassium. t was highest at the lower potassium applications. At all but the moderate potassium level puffiness increased with added nitrogen. Cracking Cracking increased with added nitrogen at all levels of potassium. Less cracking occurred as potassium levels were increased. Off-Color Off-colored fruits increased with added nitrogen at all levels of potassium. Off-Shape Generally off-shaped fruits increased with added nitrosed. Percentage of o. 1 fruits The percentage of o. 1 fruits was sl8rlficantly affected by both applied nitrogen and potassium. The percentage of o. 1 fruits decreased with applied nitrogen. There was some indication that the percentage of o. 1 fruits was highest at the two higher potassium levels although the difference between zero potassium and the highest potassium level was small. Weight of fruit Weight per fruit tended to increase only up to the 3rd nltroler level. CllO WR 25 umber of fruits per plant umber of fruits per plant increased only to the 4th itrogen level and thereupon showed no change. Weight of fruits per plant Similarly the weight of fruits per plant increased to the 4th itrogen level and thereupon showed no change.

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7 Chart 1 Cant'd Total defects per fruit Defects increased with added nitrogen up to at least the 4th level of added nitrogen. The defects appeared to be somewhat greater at the lower potassium levels. Puffiness Puffiness generally tended to increase with added nitrogen up to the 3rd nitrogen level. t was appreciably less at the two higher potaslium levels. Cracking Cracking increased with added nitrogen up to and including the 4th itrogen level. Off-Color There was no appreciable effect of added nitrogen and potassium on production of off-colored fruits. Off-Shape Off shape was more prevalent at the moderate potassium levels, The amount was much higher than that of off-colored fruits. Percentage of o. 1 fruits The percentage of o. 1 fruits increased from the highest to the lowest level of nitrogen (0 itrogen) at all level. of potassium. Weight per fruit Weight per fruit tended to increase with added nitrogen to the moderate or 3rd itrogen level. Potassium had relatively little effect.

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9 Table 1 Correlations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO- DAA HYBRD 0 Spring Crop 1966 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients Feb. 8 Feb Defects per fruit K Puffiness one Cracking K Off Color K Off Shape one Per cent o. 1 K Wt. fruits per plant o. truits per plant one Weight per plant K Defects per fruit Puffiness one Cracking Off Color Off Shape one Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant ,664, ",654 March 21 3 Defects per fruit Puffiness P Cracking Off Color Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant , ,535 April 11 4 Defects per fruit Cracking Off Color Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant , ,470 May 2 5 Defects per fruit Puffiness K Cracking Off Color Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant ,

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11 Table 1 Cant' d Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients June 14 5 Defects per fruit.702 Cracking.762 Off Color.656 Per cent o Wt. fruit per plant.654 o. fruit per plant.717 Weight per plant.754 June 14 6 Defects per fruit.626 Cracking.695 Off Color.595 Per cent o Wt. fruits per plant.657 o. fruits per plant.672 Weight per plant.723 June 28 7 Defects per fruit.781 Cracking.818 Off Color.760 Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant.640 Weight per plant.727

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13 Table 2 Correlations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO WR 25 Spring Crop 1966 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients Feb. 8 1 Off Shape Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant Feb Defects per fruit Per cent o March 21 3 Defects per fruit Cracking Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant April 11 4 Cracking Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant May 2 5 Defects per fruit Puffiness K Cracking Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant June 14 5 Defects per fruit Puffiness K Cracking Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant June 14 6 Defects per fruit Puffiness K Cracking Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant Weight per plant

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15 Table 2 Cont'd Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients June 28 7 Defects per fruit Cracking Per cent o. 1 Wt. fruits per plant o. fruits per plant K Weight per plant

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17 Chart 2 Relation of itrogen and Potassium Applications to Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomatoes Spring Crop 1967 itrogen and potassium were applied on the following dates: February 8 March 1 March 22 April 12 ~y3 n view of the desire to take nitrate tests as a rough measure of soluble nitrogen available the fertilizer applications involved potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate and potassium sulfate. The amounts added itrogen o for 5 applications were as follows: Potassium (K) o The results upon yield and quality for both Ohio-ndiana Hybrid 0 and Ohio WR 25 were analyzed statistically. They are briefly summarized below for yield and quality factors. OHO-DAA HYBRD 0 umber of fruits per plant There was no significant effect from either applied nitrogen or potassium. Weight of fruits per plant Likewise, applied nitrogen and potassium had no significant effect on weight of fruits per plant. Total defects per fruit Total defects tended to increase to the third level of nitrogen and then showed a slight decrease. Percent of o. 1 fruits Applied nitrogen or potassium had no significant effect upon percentage of o. 1 fruit.

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19 Chart 2 Con' t Puffiness Puffiness was greatest at the three lower nitrogen levels. less at the highest potassium level. t was Cracking wa3 not significantly affected by applied nitrogen or potassium. Scars Scarred fruits were greater in number at the medium to higher levels of applied nitrogen. At the medium level of potassium scars took place at all nitrogen levels. At the highest nitrogen level, it was the lowest. Off-Shape o particular effect of nitrogen and potassium on off-shape seemed to be significant. OHO WR 25 umber of fruits per plant umber of fruits per plant was not significantly affected by nitrogen levels alone. At the median potassium level, number of fruits per plant tended to increase somewhat with added nitrogen. A similar situation developed as with number of fruits. o statistically significant effect of applied nitrogen or potassium was found to occur. The tendency were for defects to increase with applied nitrogen to th~ median nitrogen application. Percent of o. 1 fluits o really statistical significant effect of nitrogen and potassium treatments on percent of o. 1 fruits was obtained. Puffiness o significant effect of nitrogen or potassium on puffiness was obtained. Cracking o significant effect of nitrogen or potassium on cracking was obtained. Cracking was quite high.

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21 Chart 2 Con't Scars o really statistically significant effect of nitrogen or potassium on scars was obtained. Off-Shape o statistically significant effect of nitrogen or potassium on offshaped fruits was obtained. Off-shape fruits were rather high.

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23 Table 3 Correlations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO-DAA HYBRD 0 Spring Crop 1967 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correation Coefficients Feb Wt. fruits per plant K Defects per fruit.478 Cracking.359 Off Shape.468 Per cent Oe K.389 March 3 2 Per cent o" March 24 3 o. fruits per plant.387 Wt. fruits per plant.426 Rough fruits K.348 Off Color K Per cent o April 14 4 o. fruits per plant.450 Wt. fruits per plant.546 Defects per fruit.546 Cracking 760 Off Color K Per cent o May 5 3 oo fruits per plant.498 Wt. fruits per plant.625 Defects per fruit.487 Cracking.707 Off Color K May 5 5 o. fruits per plant.453 Wto fruits per plant.495 Defeets per fruit.382 Puffiness Cracking.697 Off Color K Per Cent o May 26 6 Defects per fruit.364 Cracking.571 Off Color K Per cent o

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25 Table 4 Correations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO WR 25 Spring Crop 1967 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients Feb Defects per fruit.445 Puffiness.359 Cracking.349 Scars.339 Per cent o March 3 2 Puffiness.360 March 24 3 Defects per fruit.434 Cracking.413 Per cent o April 14 4 o. fruits per plant.378 Wt. fruits per plant.456 Defects per fruit.598 Puffiness.461 Cracking.626 Per cent o May 5 3 o. fruits per plant.568 Wt. fruits per plant.581 Defects per fruit.450 Cracking "662 Per cent o May 5 5 o. fruits per plant.595 Wt. fruits per plant.634 Defects per fruit.551 Puffiness.436 Cracking.681 Per cent o May 26 6 o. fruits per plant.613 Wt. fruits per plant.543 Cracking.588 Per cent o

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27 Chart 3 Relation of itrogen and Potassium Applications to Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomatoes Fall Crop 1967 itrogen and potassium were applied only on October 4. The amounts of fertilizer added for applications were as follows: itrogen () Potassium (K) The statistical analysis of the effect of applied nitrogen and potassium on yield and quality defects is present below. OHO- DAA HYBRD 0 Total defects per fruit Only at the highest potassium level did defects increase with added nitrogen. Puffiness The smallest amount of puffiness wasobtained at the zero potassium and the 20 pounds treatment. The lowest amount occured at the two highest potassium levels (106 and 125 pounds of K). Cracking Cracking tended to be highest at the zero potassium level. Even at the highest potassium level, considerable cracking occurred. itrogen has no significant effect. Scars Relatively little effect of applied nitrogen and potassium was evident. Off-Shape Relatively little effect of applied nitrogen or potassium was obtained. Percent of o. 1 fruits The percentage of o. 1 at the highest potassium level was lowest with no nitrogen applied. The differences at the lower levels of potassium were not essentially different as far as nitrogen applications were concerned.

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29 Chart 3 Can't umber of fruits per plant At the lower and highest potassium levels the number of fruits decreased with added nitrogen. At the medium potassium level (63 pounds K) number of fruits increased to the median nitrogen level. Weight of fruits per plant Generally the weight of fruits per plant tended to increase slightly at the 3 higher nitrogen levels although the differences were not large. This was true at all potassium levels. Weight per fruit The weight per fruit tended to be greater at the higher nitrogen levels.

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31 Table 5 Correlations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO- DAA HYBRD 0 Fall Crop 1967 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients Sept 5 1 Off Shape Defects per fruit K Cracking K Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K.419 Sept 18 4 Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K.366 Sept 25 B Defects per fruit K Puffiness Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K Defects per fruit K Cracking K Scars.360 Weight per fruit K Defects per fruit.396 K Cracking.329 K Scars.331 Off Shape.339 K Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K.447 Weight per fruit.333 Oct Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o K.549

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33 Table 5 Cont'd Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correation Coefficients ov Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K.391 o. fruits per plant.458 Wt. fruits per plant.484 Weight per fruit.322 Dec. 4 6 Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K.331 o. fruits per plant.434 Wt. fruits per plant.383 Weight per fruit K Dec 18 7 Defects per fruit K Cracking K Per cent o. 1 K.440 Wt. fruits per plant.477 Weight per fruit.527

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35 Chart 4 Relation of itrogen and Potassium Application to Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomatoes Spring Crop 1968 itrogen and potassium were applied on the following dates: February 2 February 29 March 22 April 11 May 1 May 22 The total amount of elemental nitrogen and potassium applied per acre in pounds was as follows: itrogen Potassium (K) The data obtained have been analyzed statistically. The particular results reported for this crop include the effect of the applications of nitrogen and potassium on the following yield and quality aspects. OHO t-lr 25 Total defects per fruit Total defects per fruit increased to the medium nitrogen level (390 bs.) and then showed a decrease. Potassium applications had no effect. Puffiness Puffiness increased with added nitrogen. t tended to be greatest at the medium potassium level (750 bs.). At this median level nitrogen had no effect whatsoever on puffinessc Cracking Cracking was high at the highest potassium level. Cracking tended to increase to and including the median level of nitrogen (390 bs.). Burst fruit Bursting tended to be highest at the lower nitrogen levels. Percent of o c 1 fruits itrogen and potassium applications had very little effect upon the percent of o. 1 fruits.

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37 Chart 4 Con't umber of fruits per plant Generally the number of fruits decreased as the nitrogen levels increased. At the lowest and highest potassium level the number of fruits did not decrease at the ~ highest nitrogen levels. Percent of culls Applied nitrogen and potassium had relatively little effec-t upon the percentage of culls. OHO-DAA HYBRD 0 Total defects per fruit Defects tended to increase to the median level of nitrogen and decrease. then to Puffiness Puffiness increased with increased nitrogen until a median level of nitrogen was attained. Thereupon decrease occurred. Cracking Cracking increased up to and including the median nitrogen treatment. Thereupon a decrease tended to occur. Cracking was highest at the two highest potassium applications. Burst fruits Burst fruits were higher at the lowest nitrogen levels. the highest at the zero nitrogen level. The number was Percent of o. 1 fruits Practically no effect of nitrogen or potassium was evident on the percent of fruits grading o.1. umber of fruits per plant The number of fruits decreased as the nitrogen level increased. Only at the median potassium level was there no significant effect of leaf nitrogen. Percent of culls Culls decreased with added nitrogen at two lowest potassium levels. n the three upper potassium levels culls were highest at the median nitrogen level. Thereupon, a decrease occurred at the fourth and fifth nitrogen levels.

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39 Table 6 Correlations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO WR 25 Spring Crop 1968 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients Feb 19 1 Defects per fruit.460 Per cent o o. fruits per plant.376 Weight per fruit K Feb Defects per fruit.563 Cracking 611 Per cent o. 1 K o. fruits per plant.361 Wt. fruits per plant.501 Weight per fruit.549 Per cent of culls K.399 March 21 3 Defects per fruit.769 Puffiness Cracking Burst fruits Rough fruits Off Color Scars Blossom-end rot Catfaced fruit Per cent o o. frui t per plant.803 Wt. fruits per plant.801 Weight per fruit Per cent of culls.698 K.363 April 10 4 Defects per fruit.446 Puffiness K Cracking.424 Blossom-end rot K.331 Per cent o. 1 K o. fruits per plant.465 Wt. fruits per plant.478 April 30 5 Defects per fruit.529 Puffiness K Cracking.529 Per cent o. 1 K o. fruits per plant.581 Wt" fruits per plant.646 Per cent of culls K.356

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41 Table 6 Cont'd Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients May 20 6 Defects per fruit.342 Puffiness K Cracking.564 Burst fruits.418 Per cent o. 1 K o. fruits per plant 767 Wt. fruits per plant 757 June 10 3 one 7 Defects per fruit.502 Puffiness K Cracking.534 Burst fruits.400 K.379 Blossom-end rot.397 Per cent o K o. fruits per plant.720 Wt. fruits per plant.687 Per cent of culls.351 K.372

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43 Table 7 Correlations Between Leaf Content and Fruit Yield and Defects OHO- DAA HYBRD 0 Spring Crop 1968 Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients Feb Defects per fruit Cracking Off Shape Blossom-end rot Per cent o. 1 o. fruits per plant Wt. fruits per plant Per cent of culls Feb Defects per fruit Cracking Off Color K Per cent o. 1 o. fruits per plant Wt. fruits per plant Weight per fruit Per cent of culls March 21 3 Defects per fruit Cracking Off Color K Off Shape K Blossom-end rot K o~ fruits per plant K Wt. fruits per plant K Weight per fruit / April 10 4 Defects per fruit Cracking Scars K Off Color Blossom-end rot K Per cent Oe 1 o. fruits per plant Wt. fruits per plant Weight per fruit Per cent of culls

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45 Table 7 Cont'd Date Cluster Yield or Defect utrient Correlation Coefficients April 30 5 Defects per fruit.334 Cracking.346 Burst fruits.362 Off Color Blossom-end rot.387 o. fruits per plant.471 Wt. fruits per plant.531 Weight per fruit.432 May 20 6 Defects per fruit.509 Cracking.526 Burst fruits.361 Off Shape.389 Per cent o o. fruits per plant.739 Wt. fruits per plant.796 Weight per fruit.572 Per cent of culls.464 June 10 3 Off Color K Off Shape K 3~9 7 Defects per fruit.459 Cracking.555 Per cent o o. fruits per plant.732 Wt. fruits per plant.743 Weight per fruit.455 Per cent of culls.384

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