The effects of potassium on the yield and fruit quality components of stick tomato

Abstract

This research was performed to determine the effects of potassium applied on soil to increase dose on the yield and yield components of stick tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. var. Şimsek) grown in greenhouse conditions in the Antalya Province in 2010. In this experiment, the Şimsek fresh tomato variety commonly grown in the Mediterranean region was tested with applications of 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg K2O/ha. According to the results, the yield was greatest (195.7 Mt·ha −1) with 120 kg K2O/ha application. The effects of potassium application on tomato yield and yield components were statistically significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Depending on the application dose, plant stem diameter ranged from 14.22 to 14.99 mm, plant length 173.05 to 181.69 cm, fruit diameter 70.33 to 73.84 mm, fruit number per plant 29.20 to 34.57, fruit weight 160.45 to 185.63 g, penetration resistance 2.45 to 2.99 kg·cm −2, pH 5.10 to 5.20 and sugar content 3.67 to 3.97 ° Brix. In addition, the leaf N/K ratio also affected the tomato yield. Significant correlations were found among the macro and micronutrients of the leaf, yield, and yield components.