Tomato fruit quality between clusters is differentially affected by nitrogen and potassium supply

Summary

Fruit quality is significantly affected by the nutrient status of plants; nonetheless, it has not yet been deeply explored how nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) supply affects tomato fruit quality between clusters during the vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of N and K on fruit quality parameters of three clusters of hydroponically grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Nitrogen (10, 12, 14 and 16 molc N m-3) was evaluated at the vegetative stage, and potassium (5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 molc K m-3) at the reproductive stage. The evaluated N and K concentrations showed significant main effects on the quality attributes total soluble solids, citric acid percentage, reducing sugars, color and lycopene concentration; yield was affected on