Mineral nutrition of vegetables crops XXIII. Calcium nutrition in tomato with reference to blossom-end rot

Abstract

In order to study the effect of Calcium levels (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm) in the nutrient solution on the tomato growth rate, deficiencies symptoms; calcium range in leaves and fruits; seed of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) var. Santa Cruz, strain Samano and Kada were sowed in sand bed. Later, young plants, were transfered to containers filled with nutrient solution at the diferent calcium levels. After 90 days the plants were harvested and divided into: first leaf; first, second, third, fourth and fifth sets of fruits. All parts were run through chemical analysis for calcium content on a dry-weight basis by atomic absorption. The data obtained allowed for the following main conclusions: 1) Levels of calcium has direct effect on the growth of tomato plant and on the number of fruits. 2) Blossom end-rot symptoms appears in both strains when calcium level is below 200 ppm in the nutrient solution. 3) The intermediate range in day matter for calcium in hoth strains in the first leaf is 3.11-3.25% at 90 days. 4) Kada strain has a higher absorption capacity in calcium tham the Samano strain. 5) Samano strain show toxity symptoms when growth at the level of 400 ppm of calcium.