Abstract
In general effects of nutrient limitation on growth are mainly due to its effects on leaf area and to a lesser extend to its effects on photosynthesis. Nitrogen has been studied extensively in this context, but little is known about effects of phosphorus. Hence, in this paper it was studied whether leaf area ratio (LAR) or net assimilation rate (NAR) is more important in determining phosphorus effects on relative growth rate (RGR). Also the interaction of phosphate limitation with light was studied. In order to examine the effects of phosphorus and light on the growth of young tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum L. cv Capita) an experiment with a wide range of P supply rates, 0.07–0.32 g g−1 day−1, and one free access treatment was conducted at two light levels. This study demonstrates, for both light conditions, that at phosphorus limitation NAR can be more important than LAR in determining RGR. A reason may be the severe P limitation applied here. It was observed that the plant nitrogen concentration increased with increasing P supply. Possible causes are discussed.
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