Effects of nitrogen fertilization on fruit yield and quality of processing tomatoes

Abstract

, X. 2004. Effects of nitrogen fertilization on fruit yield and quality of processing tomatoes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 84: 865-871. Four processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars (CC337, H9230, H9492 and H9553) were field-grown in southwestern Ontario using five N fertilization rates in each of 4 yr (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha -1 in 1999 and 0, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha -1 in 2000, 2001 and 2002). Total fruit yield increased linearly as N rate was increased except in 2001, which was a dry year. Responses of marketable yield to fertilizer N rate were dependent on cultivar and the year. In years when sufficient soil water was available, N fertilizer rates of 200 kg ha -1 or higher were required to produce the maximum marketable yield for the four cultivars. In the dryer years, the response to fertilizer N rate was cultivar dependent, and the application of 150 to 200 kg N ha -1 was sufficient to maximize marketable yield. Fertilizer N above the rate required for maximum marketable yield increased green fruit yield at harvest. Nitrogen rate did not affect the soluble solids (SS) content, firmness, size or colour of marketable fruit. Differences in yield and fruit quality were noted among cultivars. H9553 was the highest-yielding cultivar. H9230 had the largest fruit size. CC337 generally had the best red fruit colour and the lowest percent SS. H9492 generally had the highest percent SS. To attain maximum marketable yields, it appears that N rates should be adjusted based on cultivars, anticipated rainfall levels and availability of irrigation. Au-dessus du taux nécessaire pour atteindre le meilleur rendement, les engrais N accroissent le nombre de fruits verts à la cueillette. Le taux d'application d'engrais N n'agit pas sur la teneur en solides solubles (SS), la fermeté, le calibre ni la couleur des fruits commercialisables. On a relevé certaines variations dans le rendement et la qualité des fruits des cultivars. H9553 donne le meilleur rendement et H9230, les fruits les plus gros. En général, les fruits de CC337 ont le plus beau rouge et la plus faible proportion de SS. Enfin, H9492 donne habituellement la plus forte concentration de SS. Pour atteindre le rendement maximal de fruits commercialisables, on devrait modifier le taux d'application des engrais N en fonction du cultivar, en tenant compte des précipitations prévues et de la capacité d'irriguer.

Physicochemical Characteristics, Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Compounds of Tomatoes Fertigated With Different Nitrogen Rates

“…According to Warner, Zhang and Hao (2004), nitrogen fertilization acts on physiological processes, affecting important quality properties, such as pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C and nitrate contents in tomatoes. Moreover, these physicochemical characteristics are related to sensory attributes important for processed products (e.g.…”

Nitrogen and water requirements of fertigated cabbage in Ontario

“…Recently, the passing of the Nutrient Management Act and the Clean Water Act in Ontario has prompted a re-examination of the N and water requirements of horticultural crops (Government of Ontario 2002. In recent research it was shown that previous N recommendations for vegetables in Ontario, which were based on decades-old research in most cases and from uncertain origin, are no longer sufficient for many crops (Westerveld et al 2003;Warner et al 2004;Bakker 2009a, b). Determination of N application rates is complex in this region due to effects of weather on a number of N issues (Tremblay and Be´lec 2006).…”

Mineral nutrition of tomato plants grown under organic compound

“…Características qualitativas do fruto do tomateiro como pH, concentração de sólidos solúveis, acidez total titulável, teores de vitamina C estão relacionadas com o nitrogênio (WARNER et al, 2004).…”