Tomato response to starter fertilizer, polyethylene mulch, and level of soil phosphorus

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science; (United States)

OSTI ID:6445023

Grubinger, V P; Minotti, P L; Wien, H C; Turner, A D ^[1]

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1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States). Dept. of Fruit and Vegetable Science

Unmulched and polyethylene-mulched tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown with and without starter fertilizer (SF) in four field experiments. The field varied as to residual P level and the amount of P incorporated before planting. No benefits from SF were obtained on a soil with high residual P that was moderately fertilized with P before transplanting or on a soil with low residual P that was heavily fertilized with P. A positive effect from SF was observed only when residual P was low and no P was broadcast, and this was true in mulched and unmulched plots. No significant SF by mulch interaction was obtained in these experiments even though mulching consistently increased shoot P concentrations and fruit yield. The mulch was beneficial even under conditions where unmulched tomato leaves contained 0.4% P 3 weeks after transplanting, indicating that factors in addition to improved P nutrition are also involved in the mulch effect.

• OSTI ID: 6445023
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science; (United States), Vol. 118:2; ISSN 0003-1062
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FERTILIZERS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
HERBS
PLANT GROWTH
PHOSPHORUS
POLYETHYLENES
FIELD TESTS
PRODUCTIVITY
SOILS
TOMATOES
ELEMENTS
FOOD
FRUITS
GROWTH
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PLANTS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
TESTING
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology