Leaching and nutrient uptake of tomatoes in peats

Abstract

AbstractTwo lysimeter experiments were carried out under glasshouse conditions to study the leaching losses of nutrients. In the first experiment, losses of major nutrients using 3 types of peat were studied. In the second experiment losses of major elements plus boron and manganese were studied using 3 levels of watering.There was no difference between the peat types as regards leaching of nitrogen and potassium. The leaching of phosphorus from fen peat was considerably less than that of other types of peat, and was correlated with the iron and aluminium content of the peats. At higher levels of watering in moss peat the leaching of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium caused reduction in the uptake of these nutrients and reduced potassium and acidity in the fruit. The leaching losses were greatest in the case of phosphorus, where a quarter of the applied fertiliser was leached at the moderate watering level. This rate of leaching could cause nutritional problems. The leaching of magnesium, boron and manganese even at the highest level of watering was not excessive. The uptake of nutrients by tomato plants in peat was higher than recorded by other workers.