Growth, yield and uptake of some nutrients by tomato as affected by iron concentration

ABSTRACT

The micronutrient iron is needed for optimum growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The specific amount of iron required for adequate vegetative growth, yield quality and uptake of nutrients of tomato needs clarification. The experiment was carried out during the rainy season, May and September 2019, in the screenhouse of the Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Treatments were: 0.053 (normal nutrient solution), 0.265 (iron×5), and 0.53 (iron×10) g∙L⁻¹. Shoot height, leaf number, leaf area, internode length, flowers and fruit number increased over time for plants treated with iron×10. The translocation factor of P, Mg, Ca, K, Na, and bioaccumulation factor of Na, K, and Mg were greater in plants treated with iron×10. The high concentration of iron has practical implications on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of tomato.

KEYWORDS:

• Solanum lycopersicum
• bioaccumulation factor
• micronutrients
• nutrition
• transfer factor