Effect of fertilization upon tomato plant growth, foliar analysis and fruit yields in a red-yellow latosol

Abstract

The production of tomato plants cultivated on a sandy loam soil of low fertility situated in Matão, State of São Paulo, was increased 925% with chemical fertilizers. The greatest response resulted from the application of phosphorus, which increased production from 2.6 to 8.5 kg per plant; nitrogen increased production 3.9 and potassium 1.5 kg per plant. Because of the high initial pH of the soil liming resulted in a small increase in production: 1.2 kg per plant. The increase resulting from the addition of stable manure to the chemical fertilizer may be explained as better nitrogen nutrition. However, it is probable that other nutrients also contributed to the yield increase.