Growth of a tomato crop at reduced nutrient concentrations as a strategy to limit eutrophication

Abstract

In tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Trust F1), effects of various nutrient treatments on growth, fruit yield and quality, nutrient uptake and accumulation were studied in a hydroponic system. Reductions of macronutrient concentrations to 50% (0.5 x C) or 25% (0.25 x C) of the control (C) levels as well as cessation of replenishment of the feed solution for the last 16 days after 7 months growth at control levels, had no adverse effect on growth, fruit yield and fruit quality. However, reduction of macronutrient concentration to 10% of control (0.1 x C) reduced fruit yield by ~30%. Steady-state influx and net flux of NO3- into the roots of 4-6 week-old seedlings had not acclimated and s..