Nitrogen and potassium concentration in the nutrients solution for the production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Summary

This hydroponic trial evaluated nitrogen and potassium concentrations in nutrient solutions for greenhouse tomato production across two growth phases. During the vegetative phase, nitrogen rates from 137.5 to 302.5 mg L⁻¹ showed no significant effect on plant morphology, whilst during reproduction, increasing nitrogen reduced yields in the first two fruit clusters. Optimal fruit yield was achieved at nitrogen and potassium concentrations of 177.2 and 188.7 mg L⁻¹ respectively, corresponding to an N:K mass ratio of approximately 1:1.1.

Regional applicability

This research addresses hydroponic greenhouse tomato production, a system practised in the United Kingdom but at smaller scale than in Brazil. The N:K ratio findings may inform UK greenhouse operations, though results are specific to the cultivar, climate conditions and growing medium tested and would benefit from validation under UK glasshouse conditions.

Key measures

Nitrogen concentration (137.5–302.5 mg L⁻¹), potassium concentration (137.5–275 mg L⁻¹), leaf N content, first raceme height, internode length, stem diameter, fruit yield by cluster, soluble solids content

Outcomes reported

The study measured leaf nitrogen content, plant morphology (first raceme height, internode length, stem diameter), fruit yield by cluster, and soluble solids content across varying nitrogen and potassium concentrations in hydroponic tomato production.

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