Summary
This controlled hydroponic study examined how nitrogen form ratios (nitrate to ammonium) and calcium concentration interact to influence tomato growth, nutrient partitioning, and fruit quality. A 75:25 nitrate:ammonium ratio combined with 320 mg/l calcium optimised yield, improved calcium translocation to distal fruit tissues, and prevented blossom-end rot, suggesting that nutrient form ratios significantly modulate calcium bioavailability and partitioning in tomato.
Regional applicability
The findings are relevant to UK protected horticulture and hydroponic production systems, where nutrient solution composition directly controls plant nutrition. The results may inform greenhouse tomato production practices, though transferability to field conditions or different cultivars would require additional investigation.
Key measures
Shoot length, shoot diameter, total amino acid content, protein content, yield, calcium content of fruit and plant tissues, nitrogen content of shoots/roots/fruit, nitrate and ammonium content, calcium concentration in apoplast/xylem sap/symplast, blossom-end rot incidence
Outcomes reported
The study measured effects of N-NO₃:N-NH₄ ratios and calcium levels on tomato shoot and root growth, nutrient content, amino acid and protein concentrations, calcium partitioning within plant tissues, and fruit yield and quality. Blossom-end rot incidence and calcium distribution to fruit tissues were assessed.
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