Growth, yield and uptake of some nutrients by tomato as affected by iron concentration

Summary

This screenhouse trial examined how varying iron concentrations affect tomato growth and nutrient dynamics. Plants treated with 10-fold elevated iron (0.53 g·L⁻¹) showed substantially greater vegetative growth metrics—including shoot height, leaf area and flower/fruit production—as well as enhanced translocation and bioaccumulation of macro- and micronutrients compared to normal nutrient solution. The findings suggest that iron availability plays a regulatory role in tomato development and mineral nutrition status.

Regional applicability

This study was conducted in Nigeria under screenhouse conditions, which may not directly reflect United Kingdom growing environments, climate or soil conditions. However, the findings on iron-dependent nutrient uptake in tomato are physiologically based and may inform nutrient management practices in UK protected horticulture, though local iron availability and soil chemistry would require separate evaluation.

Key measures

Shoot height, leaf number, leaf area, internode length, flower number, fruit number, translocation factor of P, Mg, Ca, K, Na, bioaccumulation factor of Na, K, Mg

Outcomes reported

The study measured the effects of three iron concentrations (normal, 5× and 10× normal) on tomato growth parameters (shoot height, leaf number, leaf area, internode length, flower and fruit number) and nutrient uptake/translocation factors for phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium. Key outcome was that elevated iron concentration (iron×10) enhanced vegetative growth, yield components and nutrient bioaccumulation compared to normal nutrient solution.

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