EFFECT OF MINERALS ON SOME PARAMETERS OF GREEN HOUSE TOMATO

Introduction. Protected soil has such specific nutritive features as relatively thinner soil layer, where the root is localized, loss of nutrients flushed via regular irrigation, soil structure loss, and suppression of reproduction of soil microorganisms by frequent steam sterilization and soil salinization due to higher mineral norms.

In modern period green house production, the proper adjustment of doses and necessity of fertilizers during plant growth stages is the most important issue.

Goals and objectives of the study:

The present study aimed to investigate some biometrical parameters of tomato grown in winter green house in relation to doses of mineral fertilizers via achievement of the following objectives:

1. To investigate evenness and duration of developmental stage tomato in winter glass greenhouse in relation to doses and combinations of mineral fertilizers,
2. To investigate some biometrical parameters of tomato in winter glass greenhouse in relation to doses and combinations of mineral fertilizers.

Materials and methods

The experiment is performed as described in the methodology on the plots of winter greenhouse Agro-Amgalan LLC in Ulaanbaatar city.

In order to investigate optimal doses of mineral fertilizers and effect of the combinations, the following variants were chosen:

1. Control (no fertilizer)
2. N₁₅₀P₁₅₀
3. N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₁₅₀
4. N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀
5. N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₃₅₀
6. N₁₅₀K₁₅₀
7. N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P₂₅₀
8. N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P₃₅₀
9. P₁₅₀K₁₅₀
10. P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₂₅₀
11. P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₃₅₀
12. N₂₅₀P₂₅₀K₂₅₀
13. N₃₅₀P₃₅₀K₃₅₀

The study was conducted on a total of 520 individual plants or 10 for each plot or variant.

All observations and studies of the experiment were made in 4 replicates.

Experimental variants were localized randomly on the plots.

Russian variety Karlson was chosen and planted in the study. Variety Karlson is very strong, medium early hybrid plant of indeterminate type, 8 to 12 fruits grow on each tassel and a fruit weighs 80 to 90 g.

Planting scheme is 40+90+60+90+40õ30.

Variants of experimental fertilizer doses were used by hand spray in doses of active substances, then nitrogen and potassium fertilizer as an additional one is dissolved in water and used after planting.

Mineral fertilizers, including ammonium salt, double granule superphosphate, and potassium phosphate are used.

The starting period of the growth and developmental stages of tomato plant was estimated in 20% of all plants, while evenness was estimated to be observed in 80% of all plants.

Results of the study

 

Stages of tomato growth and development, and their duration

Depending on the logistics and organizational activities for preparation of planting (repair and maintenance of heating system and greenhouse, adjustments for heating etc.) in greenhouse of Agro-Amgalan LLC, it was impossible to make plantings for the same period of time annually.

In the first year, the planting was the latest or on 26 December, in the second year, the planting was slightly earlier or on 20 December, and third year the planting was made on 11 December.

Regardless of planted day, the plants emerged evenly after 10 days. Observing the production technology to transplant tomato seedlings with 4 or 5 leaves on greenhouse plots, the seedlings were transplanted on 13 March at 78 days of age in the first year, 10 March at 71 days of age in the second year, and 02 March at 72 days of age in the third year on the plots fertilized and prepared previously for plantation according to methods of the experiment.

Changes of growth stage onsets of tomato seedlings after transplantation to greenhouse plots for the period of experiment due to effects of fertilizers are shown with 3 year averages.

For all N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₁₅₀ variants of triangular combinations, N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀, N₁₅₀Ð₁₅₀K₁₅₀, N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P₂₅₀ and N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P_35o variants, phosphorus potassium norms of which increased further by 100 to 200 kg, except of no fertilizer and phosphorus potassium dual N₁₅₀P₁₅₀, and Р₁₅₀К₁₅₀combinations, the flowering became even in 17-20 April.

Table 1. Effect of mineral fertilizers on growth and developmental stages and their lengths for tomato plants grown in greenhouse

№	3Average of 3 years	Dates
		Flowering synchrony	Fruiting synchrony	Start of hervest	Final harvest
1	Average	20 April	4 May	8 June	8 Nov.
2	Average	19 April	29 April	7 June	8 Nov.
3	Average	17 April	25 April	5 June	8 Nov.
4	Average	17 April	25 April	5 June	8 Nov.
5	Average	17 April	25 April	5 June	8 Nov.
6	Average	23 April	2 May	12 June	8 Nov.
7	Average	19 April	1 May	7 June	8 Nov.
8	Average	19 April	28 April	7 June	8 Nov.
9	Average	20 April	28 April	7 June	8 Nov.
10	Average	25 April	5 May	14 June	8 Nov.
11	Average	27 April	5 May	16 June	8 Nov.
12	Average	25 April	5 May	14 June	10 Nov. 50

Comment: Date of seeding — the first year. 23 December

                                         the second year. 20 December

                                                   the third year. 11 December

Planting date of seedlings —   the first year. 13 March

                                                   the second year. 10 March

                                                   the third year. 2 March

Flowering synchrony of both the variants P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₁₅₀ and P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₃₅₀, basic norms of nitrogen in which increased by 100 to 200 kg and the variants N₂₅₀P₂₅₀K₂₅₀, basic norms of mineral fertilizer in which, increased by 100 kg was later by 5 to 10 days than the variants or between 25 and 27 April. It reveals that growth of vegetative organs of the plant is stimulated, whereas the growth of reproductive organs inhibited. Fruiting synchronized in variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀, N₁₅₀K₁₅₀, P₁₅₀K₁₅₀ and N₁₅₀Ð₁₅₀K₁₅₀ of basic norms of dual and triangular combinations of mineral fertilizers and variants P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₂₅₀, P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₃₅₀,N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P₂₅₀, and N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P₃₅₀ basic norms of phosphorus, potassium in which increased by 100 to 200 kg between 25 April and 1 May. However, variant without fertilizer, variants P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₂₅₀ and P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₃₅₀, basic nitrogen norms in which increased by 100 to 200 kg, and variants N₂₅₀P₂₅₀K₂₅₀ basic norms of mineral fertilizer in which, increased by 100 kg, fruiting synchrony was later by 5 to 10 days or occurred in 5-6 May. Plant harvest of variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀, P₁₅₀K₁₅₀ and N₁₅₀Ð₁₅₀K₁₅₀ of basic norms of dual and triangular combinations of mineral fertilizers, variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K_25o, N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₃₅₀, N₁₅₀K₁₅₀P₂₅₀, and N₁₅₀K₁₅₀Ð₃₅₀  phosphorus, potassium basic norms of other than nitrogen and potassium combinations in which increased by 100 to 200 kg, as well as, variants without fertilizers started simultaneously from 5 to 7 June. However, harvest of variants P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₂₅₀, and P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₃₅₀ basic nitrogen norms of which increased by 100 to 200 kg and variants N₂₅₀P₂₅₀K₂₅₀, basic norms of triangular mineral fertilizers in which increased by 100 kg, was also later by 7 to 10 days or between 14 and 16 June.

Because, potential of plants to produce finsihed Generally in the first decade of November, final harvest was done in all variants with or without fertilizers for the same period of time.

Figure 1.Effect of mineral fertilizers on the duration of growth and developmental stages of tomato grown in greenhouse

Impacts of mineral fertilizers on the length of stages of above mentioned growth stages are as follows:

In no fertilizer variant, the term between seedlings planting to flowering synchrony lasts 45 days. The length in variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₁₅₀ of basic norm of dual (except of NP) and triangular combinations, and variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀, N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₃₅₀, N₁₅₀K₁₅₀Р₂₅₀ and N_15OK₁₅₀P₃₅₀, norms of phosphorus and potassium increased further by 100 to 200 kg, was 41 to 44 days, but it was 49 days or longer by 4 to 9 days in variants N₁₅₀K₁₅₀, variants P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₂₅₀/ P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₂₅₀, basic norms nitrogen in which increased by 100 kg, and  N_25oP₂₅₀Ê₂₅₀, basic norms of triangular mineral fertilizers of which increased by 100 kg, as compared to above variants.  This length lasted 41 days in variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀ and N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₃₅₀, basic norms of triangular combination and only potassium basic norms in which increased by 100 to 200 kg, was longer by 4 days than no fertilzer variant, and shorter by 2 or 3 days than other variants. Above demonstrated that optimal triangular combination of nitrogen,  phosphorus and potassium N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀ accelerated flowering. Lengths of the stages in the years differ with 1 or 2 days.

The length between flowering and fruiting synchronies in all variants with and without fertilizers was the same or lasted 10 days. The difference of the lengths with the years  was a day, In other words, combiantions and doses of mineral fertilizers have no effects on the length from flowering to fruiting synchrony.

The length from fruiting to harvesting lasted 40 or 41 days in all variants both using or not using fertilizers. The term was 38 days or shorter by 2 or 3 days in only N₁₅₀P₁₅₀ variant. Between the years  of research, difference was 1 to 5 days. In the third year, the length in all variants ranged between 42 and 44 days or longer by 4 to 6 days than remaininf years. It reveals mineral fertilizer has no significant effects on the length between fruiting to harvest start, but it depends from lightning and heating procedures in the year.

Figure 2.Relationship between the duration of harvesting of greenhouse tomato and the doses of fertilizers

Length for harvesting the plant ranged from 152 to 154 days in majority of variants of triangular combinations other than not fertilzed and dual N₁₅₀ K₁₅₀ mineral fertilizer variant. Fruiting length was 146 or 147 days or shortened by 6 or 7 days in the variant N₁₅₀K₁₅₀, and the variants P₂₅₀K₂₅₀N₂₅₀ and P₂₅₀K₂₅₀N₃₅₀, nitrogen norms of triangular combinations of which increased by 100 to 200 kg. It is directly associated with the start of harvests of these variants later by 7 to 11 days than remaining variants.

Effects of mineral fertilizers on some biometrical parameters of greenhouse tomato

General patterns of growth and development, and size of any plants exert special effects on the fate of plant production. Growth of main stem, distance between the tassels, numbers and weigths of flowers and fruits play critical roles in plant production.

Figure 3. Effect of mineral fertilizers on the height of plant and distance between tassels of green house tomato

Results of the study on patterns of main stem growth of tomato plant show height of main stem in no fertilzer and N₁₅₀P₁₅₀  variants was 368 cm and 381 cm respectively, while it was 387 cm high for N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀ variant or the higher than the remaining variants. As compared to control plants, it was higher by 19 cm.

Because the number of tassels and fruits per plant depends from the distance between the tassels localized on the main stem of tomato, it is an essential parameter. Distance between tassels is 26.0 cm in the variants N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₁₅₀ and N₂₅₀P₂₅₀K₂₅₀ and it is shorter by 0.7 cm than control plants and 1.0 to 2.0 cm than other variants with higher doses of fertilizers.

Figure 4. Effect of mineral fertilizers on the counts of fruits per plant of greenhouse tomato

 

 

Figure 5. Weight of green house tomato plant fruit, g

The number and weight of fruits per tomato plant and weight of each fruit vary with doses of fertilizers. The number of fruits is the lowest or 53.1, weight of a fruit is 80.7 g and weight of fruits per plant is 4289.4 g in control variant, while the number of fruits increases to 60.3, weight of a fruit is 81.3 g and weight of fruits per plant is 4902.9 g in N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₁₅₀ variant. For the variant N₁₅₀P₁₅₀ K₂₅₀, which as the highest production rate, the number of fruits per plant dropped to 56.5, each fruit weighed 88.9 g and total weight of fruits per plant was 5022.8 g. All these demonstrate the distance between the tassels exert significant effect on the settlement of fruits of plant due to variable effects of fertilizers doses on the height of main stem.

Discussion

According to results of our study, optimal norm of triangular combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀  accelerated the flowering. The duration of this stage differed with 1 or 2  days in the years. Tomato used potassium at highest rate, then nitrogen at second and then calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Majority of nutrients are absorbed in growing younger parts of the root. In this period, the fibers of root hair function very actively. Nutrients are carried to root system in the form of anions and cations. Nitrogen is absorbed in the form of nitrate NО₃ anion and NH₄ cation, sulfur in the form of SO₄anion, and the plant absorbs phsophorus in the form of phosphoric acid anion Р₂О₅. It is in agreement with the results of other authors that potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc are absorbed in the form of cation [2]

Depending on the conditions of planting the tomato, the plants absorb  4,0-4,6 g/kg nitrogen, 0,96-1,4 g/kg Р₂0₅, 4,0-9,7 g/kg К₂0, 1,8-4,6 g/kg СаО, and 0,7-0,78 g/kg КdО [1, 2].

According to the study performed by Merkulov (1987), N:K ratio between planting and fruiting of tomato is 1:3, while it is 1:2 and 1:1.5 at the final stage of growth [3]. It is important to use more nitrogen fertilizer during flowering and fruiting stages. When fruits are completely ripened, it is proper to increase dose of potassium fertilizer [6,7,8, 9].

Under condition of greenhouse soil for the present study, increase of potassium norm in complete mineral fertilizer (N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀) to 250 kg resulted in the leveation of production to 20.2 kg and it is in agreement with the studies by other authors revealing tomato absorbs potassium at the highest rate.

Conclusion

1. Increased dose of nitrogen results in intensification of green mass growth and prolongation of growth lengths , but decrease of percentage of fruits in total biomass of the plant. At optimal dose of fertilizer N₁₅₀P₁₅₀K₂₅₀, distance between tassels of the plant shortens to 26 cm and the maximal height of the plant reached 387 cm.
2. Effect of mineral fertilizer on the length of growth and developmental stages is that flowerinf synchrony is later by 5 to 10 days in the variants P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₁₅₀ and P₁₅₀K₁₅₀N₃₅₀, in which basic norm of nitrogen increased by 100 to 200 kg, and the variant N₂₅₀P₂₅₀K₂₅₀, in which basic norms of triangular mineral fertilizer increased by 100 kg. It reveals greater nitrogen supply caused stimulation of vegetative organs growth and inhibition of reproductive organs.

References

1. 1. Bekseev N.V., Growing early tomato. L.Agropromizdat. 1989. p 272.
2. Vashenko S.F., Chekunova Z.I., Savinova N.I et al. Vegetable production on protected soil. М. Kolos. 1984. p 272.
3. Vendillo G.G., Mikanaev Т.А., Petrichenko V.N., Skarjinskii А.А. Fertilizer of veetable cultivation. М. Аgropromizdat: 1986.  p 206.
4. Bolooj D. Results of the study on planting vegetables on protected soil. Publ. PCPRI. 1975. №3. p 34.
5. Geissler T., Geyer B. Structure of greenhouse soil as one of the factors, determining the plant production rate, News of ТСХА.  1979.  V 5.  p 143-147.
6. Gluntsov N.М. Scientific principles of rational use of fertilizers in veeatble production on protected soil. Dissertation for ScD in Agricultural sciences, М. 1991. p 351.
7. Jurbitskii Z.I. Physiological features of mineral nutrition of vegetable plants as a basis of rational use of fertilizers.Аutoreferate of dissertation for ScD degree in Biology.  М.  1949. p 26.
8. Маgnitskii К.P. Diagnosis of demand of fertilizers for plants. М.: Moskowskii rabochy, 1972.
9. Adams P., Massey D.M. Nutrient uptake by tomatoes from recirculating solutions. б-th intern.   Cong. On Soilless culture. Wageningen.  1984. р 71-79.
10. Adams P.Grimmett M.M. Some responses of tomatoes  to the concentration of potassium in recirculating nutrient solutions. Asta Hort. 1986.  №78. p 29-35.[schema type=»book» name=»EFFECT OF MINERALS ON SOME PARAMETERS OF GREEN HOUSE TOMATO» description=»In the present study, the length of growth and developmental stages and some biometrical parameters of tomato grown in winter greenhouse were investigated in relation to mineral fertilizer doses and combinations. Results of the study demonstrated that flowering synchrony of both the variants P150K150N150 and P150K150N350, basic norms of nitrogen in which increased by 100 to 200 kg and the variants N250P250K250, basic norms of triangular mineral fertilizer in which, increased by 100 kg was later by 5 to 10 days than the variants, which have no fertilizers and other combined doses. It also revealed growth of vegetative organs of the plant is stimulated, whereas the growth of reproductive organs inhibited. Investigation of growth rates of main stem of the tomato plant for each variants shows height of main stem is 368 cm for no fertilizer variant, 381 cm for N150P150, and 387 cm for N150P150K250 variant, which is the tallest among other variants. It is taller by 19 cm than control.» author=»P.Tsolmon, A.Choijamts» publisher=»БАСАРАНОВИЧ ЕКАТЕРИНА» pubdate=»2017-06-07″ edition=»ЕВРАЗИЙСКИЙ СОЮЗ УЧЕНЫХ_ 30.05.2017_05(38)» ebook=»yes» ]