Effect of potassium nutrition on tomato plant growth and fruit development

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The effect of K nutrition on the growth in sand culture of young tomato plants, cv. Amberley Cross, was examined and the concentrations of K in the nutrient feed and in the leaves associated with maximum flower number, fruit set and yield were determined. The distribution of K between and with-in fruit trusses of normal and K-deficient plants, cv. Amberley Cross and Moneymaker grown in peat/loam was also studied. Total dry weights of 6-wk-old plants grown in sand were maximal when the nutrient feed contained 0.53–5.03 me K+/l, although plants receiving 10.23 me K+/l retained more water in the foliage and therefore had the greatest foliage fresh weight. Both peduncle length and height of the basal truss were increased by K in the feed up to 10.23 me/l, the highest concentration used. Flower development was retarded below 0.53 me K+/l, and fruit setting efficiency was reduced below 2.03 me K+/l. Fruit ripened faster on plants receiving low concentrations of K. Maximum fruit yields were produced on plants grown in sand receiving 5.03 or 10.23 me K+/l.