Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 54(1):20-28. 2013.

DOI 10.1007/s13580-013-0080-4
Research Report

The Effects of Potassium on the Yield and Fruit Quality

Components of Stick Tomato
1 2* 3
Efnan Çolpan , Mehmet Zengin , and Aynur Özbahçe
1
Aydın Agriculture Ltd., Co., Antalya, Turkey
2
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
3
Institute of Konya Soil and Water Sources Research, Konya, Turkey

*Corresponding author: mzengin@selcuk.edu.tr

Received June 8, 2012 / Revised November 1, 2012 / Accepted November 25, 2012
GKorean Society for Horticultural Science and Springer 2013

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. ùimúek) grown in greenhouse conditions
in the Antalya Province in 2010. In this experiment, the ùimúek 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,
-1
the yield was greatest (195.7 Mt·ha ) 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 oBrix. 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.
Additional key words: Antalya, fertilizer, fruit quality, greenhouse, soil

Introduction organic or inorganic nutrients to the soil, which loses nutrients

Tomatoes have become an important vegetable, especially
in recent years, being consumed during all the four seasons
both in production areas and in market share, depending on
the production from greenhouse and field.
The tomato is the most highly produced vegetable in
Turkey, at 9.9 Mt per year, followed by watermelon (3.8
Mt), onion (1.9 Mt), pepper (1.8 Mt), cucumber (1.7 Mt),
melon (1.7 Mt), and eggplant (0.9 Mt). Its share of green-
house production in Turkey is 16.7% of the 25.7 megatons
total annual vegetable production. Greenhouse tomato pro-
duction heads with 2.1 Mt production per year. The Antalya
Province is the center of Turkish greenhouse tomato pro-
duction with 1.6 Mt produced annually. According to 2008
data, the tomato was grown in 13.733 ha greenhouse space,
and 1.6 megatons were produced in Antalya alone. The
average yield was 116.5 Mt·ha-1 (Anonymous, 2008).
It is very important to utilize agricultural techniques that
increase the fruit yield and quality in tomato. One of the
most important of these techniques is the addition of proper
due to continuous cropping. Even though potassium levels
are sufficient in Antalya soil, which is very calcareous,
plants cannot adequately utilize this potassium due to the
antagonistic effect between calcium and potassium. Relative
to other nutrients, potassium is the nutrient that is most-
absorbed by vegetables, only after nitrogen; it affects product
quality and shelf life post-harvest (Imas, 1999). Antalya
Province soils are very calcareous, causing a reduction in
available potassium.
Many studies have examined the effects of N, P, and K on
the growth and yield of a variety of vegetables. These inves-
tigations indicate that potassium has a very significant effect
on the yield and quality of tomatoes grown in greenhouses,
with application by fertigation being more significant than
conventional application methods. Potassium increases the
resistance of plants to abiotic factors, such as frost, aridity,
airless soil conditions, salinity and sodicity, and biotic factors,
such as disease. Plants with adequate potassium during growth
can provide good yields even under stressed conditions
(Kemler and Krauss, 1987).
 Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 54(1):20-28. 2013.
This research was performed to determine the effects of
increasing doses of potassium on the yield and fruit quality
components of ùimúek stick tomato grown in greenhouses
in Antalya, Turkey.
Materials and Methods
This experiment was performed in a farmer’s greenhouse
in the town of Varsak in Antalya, Turkey. The Antalya
Province is between 36º06’-37º27’N and 29º14’-32º27’E in
the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The average climate
data during the experiment months and during a 32-year
time period are given in Table 1 (Anonymous, 2010).
As illustrated in Table 1, the lowest average temperature
during the vegetation period (January-June) of 2010 was
12.4Gduring January and the highest was 24.9Gduring
June. The lowest mean relative air humidity was 59.8% in
April, and the highest was 73.0% in May. During the experi-
mental period, the average temperature and average relative
humidity were 17.7Gand 67.4%, respectively, which were
higher than the average temperature (15.9) and average
relative humidity (65.7%) of a 32-year period. Increased
temperature and relative humidity are undesirable for growing
tomato.
Fresh stick tomato, ‘ùimúek’, which is commonly grown
in the Antalya district, was used in this study. This tomato is
certificated and registered. It is an early riser with a fast
adaptation ability and a strong plant structure. There are on
average 5-6 fruit sets in one cluster, and the mean fruit
weight is 200-220 g. It is also resistant to many diseases,
including TYLCV (Yellow Leaf Curl Virus), Fo l0, 1-l2
(Fusarium oxysporim lycopersici), Forl (Fusarium oxysporium
f. sp. radisi) and Va (Verticillium dahliae Ve-1).
The soil samples representing 0-30 cm soil depth were
collected from three sites before planting in the greenhouse.
pH was measured in a 1:2.5 soil:distilled water solution with
a pH-meter, and EC was determined in a 1:5 soil:distilled
water solution with an EC-meter (Bayraklı, 1987). A modified
Walkley-Black method was used for determining organic
matter content (Bayraklı, 1987), and the lime content was
determined with a Scheibler calcimeter (Bayraklı, 1987).
Table 1. Meteorological data of the experiment area.
-DQXDU\ )HEUXDU\ 0DUFK
21
Soil texture was determined using the Bouyoucos Hydrometer
method (Bouyoucos, 1962). Available P levels were analyzed
by the method of Olsen et al. (1954) with a 0.5 M NaHCO3
(pH 8.5) extraction solution, and available K, Ca, and Mg
levels were determined using a 1 N NH4OAc solution (pH 7)
in ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission
Spectrometer) apparatus (Bayraklı, 1987; Soltanpour and
Workman, 1981). Levels of trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, and
Cu) were analyzed with a 0.05 M DTPA extract using ICP-
AES (Lindsay and Norwell, 1972; Soltanpour and Workman,
1981).
According to analyses of the experiment soil (Table 2),
the soil had a high pH, slightly salty, good level organic
matter, increased levels of lime, heavy texture and alluvial
character. Total N content according to organic matter analysis
was average. P, K, and Ca levels were increased, while Mg
levels were sufficient. However, Ca content was high in the
Ca/Mg ratio, K content was low in the Ca/K ratio, and Mg
content was low in Mg/K ratio. Fe and Cu levels were
sufficient, while Zn levels were increased and Mn levels
were decreased (FAO, 1980).
The experiment was conducted using a randomized plots
experimental design with four replicates of 20 plots per
growth period. The seedlings were planted in plots with
dimensions of 3.6 m × 4.8 m. Intervals between seedlings
were 90 cm × 40 cm; there were four rows with 48 plants in
one plot. Tomato seedlings were planted in the greenhouse
on January 25, 2010 and hoed on February 14, 2010. Plants
were attached to hanger wires on February 28, 2010.
Potassium sulfate (K2SO4; 50% K2O) was used as a
potassium source in doses of 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg
K2O/ha, not accounting for potassium provided by the basic
fertilizers (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, magnesium
sulfate, manganese sulfate) used in the experiment. Half of
the potassium sulfate was applied to the base soil before
planting; the rest of it was applied to rows approximately 20
days after planting and mixed into the soil by hoeing. Phos-
phorus was not given as a base fertilizer because of the very
high phosphorus levels in the soil. Total nitrogen was applied
at 250 kg N/ha considering the organic matter content of the
experiment soil. Before planting in the form of ammonium
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22 Efnan Çolpan, Mehmet Zengin, and Aynur Özbahçe

Table 2. Some physical and chemical properties of the experiment soil.

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sulfate (20.5% N), 50 kg N/ha of it was applied to the soil
and mixed in by hoeing. The remaining nitrogen (200 kg
N/ha) was applied in the form of ammonium nitrate (33%
N) via drip irrigation (fertigation) during the growth period
at a rate of 50 kg N/month four months. Magnesium was
applied at 30 kg MgO/ha in the form of magnesium sulfate
(MgSO4.7H2O; 16% MgO) to the base soil before planting
and mixed into the soil by hoeing. Levels of other micro-
elements, except manganese, were sufficient in the soil;
therefore, microelement fertilizer was not used. Manganese
was applied with the first and the second drip irrigations in
February, totaling 5 kg Mn/ha in the form of MnSO4.3H2O
(27% Mn). Depending on weather conditions, drip irrigation
was performed once a week, and watering with fertilizer
(fertigation) was performed once a month.
Weeds were occasionally removed from the greenhouse
by hoeing. Various pesticides were used to guard against
fungal diseases, white-fly and acarus.
On April 10, 2010, in the sixth fruit-forming period, the
third mature leaf bunches with petioles from the top were
removed for analysis (Kacar, 1972). These samples were
washed with tap water, followed once with 0.1 N HCl and
twice with distilled water before being dried at 70Gfor two
days. Dry leaf samples were ground and then digested with
15 mL HNO3 and 5 mL HClO4 in a microwave (CEM-Mars-5
model). Total levels of P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu
were determined using ICP-AES (Soltanpour and Workman,
1981). Total levels of N were determined by H2SO4 + H2O2
digestion and Kjeldahl distillation methods (Bayraklı, 1987).
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The first harvest began approximately 105 days after
planting. The plants were harvested approximately once a
week, totaling 6 times in 40 days. Tomato fruits were harvested
when they became red and were then freshly supplied to
consumers.
After picking all tomatoes from one plot, the fruits were
weighed and the tomato yield per plot was calculated as
-1
Mt·ha . Ten tomato plants from each plot were randomly
chosen for analysis. Averages for all measurements were
calculated. The stem diameter (mm) was measured with a
caliper 5 cm above the soil surface. Their lengths (cm) were
measured with a meter stick. Two of the ten randomly
chosen tomato plants per plot were picked and weighed
during each harvest. Another two of these plants were
picked in each harvest, and fruit was measured with caliper.
Fruit numbers per plant were counted 10 days before the
first harvest. Penetration resistance of two plants was measured,
-2
with peel hardness (kg·cm ) being measured from the outer
carpel wall and in equatorial platform by flat tip hand
penetrometer (Bayraktar, 1970).
In the third harvest, ten representative fruit samples were
picked and brought to the laboratory. After washing, drying
o
and crushing, pH and water-soluble dry matter ( Brix) were
analyzed. pH was measured with a pH meter in the blender
o
pulp without watering. Brix was determined from the
blender pulp using a refractometer in three repeated attempts
(Cemero÷lu, 1992).
Statistical analyses of the yield and fruit quality components
and leaf analyses were performed by the Minitab package
 Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 54(1):20-28. 2013.
program. Duncan’s test of mean values of significant subjects
was performed by the MStat package program (Yurtsever,
1984). Three data points from four replicates were considered,
discarding one data point which deviated from the average.
Results
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According to variance analysis results, the effects of po-
tassium on yield, stem diameter, plant height, fruit diameter,
o
fruit number, fruit weight, fruit hardness, pH and Brix were
found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01). In other
words, all yield and fruit quality components of tomato were
affected by K application.
-1
The lowest yield (149.51 Mt·ha ) was obtained from the
control dose (0 kg K2O/ha), and the highest yield (195.74
-1
Mt·ha ) was obtained from the 120 kg K2O/ha dose (Table 3).
The difference between yields from the 120 and 80 kg K2O/ha
doses was statistically insignificant; both of the yields were
in the same Duncan group. The tomato yield increased with
the dose change from 0 to 120 K2O/ha and then decreased
with higher concentrations. The application of 120 kg
K2O/ha increased yield at the rate of 30.9% relative to the
control dose.
In addition to the imbalance among Ca, K, and Mg levels,
there was an N deficiency in the leaf due to inadequate N
application. The concentration of N in the leaf samples
collected at the flowering stage was lower than the results
(3.20-4.50%) indicated by Jones et al. (1991). The N/K ratio
of a tomato leaf should be between 1.2 and 1.8 (Campbell,
2000). However, according to the amount of K applied, the
N/K ratio was between 0.43 and 0.33, which was much
lower than the indicated range. This outcome indicates that
fertilization programs must be executed according to soil
and plant analyses. When K is applied due to the high Ca/K
ratio in the soil, the amount of N applied to the soil should
be increased. When determining fertilizer doses, the objective
yield must also be considered.
Table 3. Effects of potassium application on fruit yield and quality components of tomato.
'R]HV 7RWDO \LHOG
23
The maximum stem diameter (14.99 mm) was obtained
with the 120 kg K2O/ha dose (Table 3). With an increase in
K application, there was also an increase in stem diameter.
However, with the exception of the 120 kg K2O/ha application,
the other doses were in the same Duncan group and their
effects were insignificant at the level of 0.05. It was observed
that plants with a reduction in growth rate had reduced K
absorption (Table 3).
The lowest plant height (173.05 cm) was observed with
the 40 kg K2O/ha dose and the highest (181.69 cm) with the
160 kg K2O/ha dose (Table 3). There was no significant
difference between 0 and 40 kg K2O/ha applications and
120 and 160 kg K2O/ha applications with regard to plant
height. Plant height increased with increasing K application
due to the vital role of K in plant growth.
With an increase in K application, there was an increase
and then a decrease in the fruit number per plant. The lowest
fruit number (29.20) was obtained by the control dose and
the highest (34.57) by the 120 kg K2O/ha dose (Table 3).
The other doses were in the same Duncan group. As men-
tioned, the 120 kg K2O/ha dose significantly affected the
fruit number.
The lowest fruit diameter (70.33 mm) was obtained with
the control dose and the highest (73.84 mm) with the 120 kg
K2O/ha dose. The 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg K2O/ha doses were
in the same Duncan group for fruit diameter. As seen in
Table 3, fruit diameter increased from the 0 kg K2O/ha dose
to the 120 kg K2O/ha dose and then decreased with the last
application. Similar results were obtained for stem diameter,
o
fruit number, Brix and yield; maximum values for these
components were obtained in the 120 kg K2O/hadose (Table 4).
The fruit weight was lowest (160.45 g) in the control dose
and highest (185.63 g) in the dose of 80 kg K2O/ha (Table
4). However, there was no statistically significant difference
between this dose and the 40, 120, and 160 kg K2O/ha doses;
therefore, they were placed in the same Duncan group. With
an increasing K doses, fruit weight increased and then
decreased.
As with the other yield and fruit quality components, fruit
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24 Efnan Çolpan, Mehmet Zengin, and Aynur Özbahçe

Table 4. Effects of potassium on the fruit quality components of tomato.

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Table 5. Effects of potassium on the macronutrient contents of the leaf.

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Table 6. Effects of potassium on the micronutrient contents of the leaf.

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hardness increased regularly until the maximum K dose
(Table 4).
As seen in Table 4, the lowest pH value (5.10) was
obtained with the control dose and the highest (5.20) with
the 160 kg K2O/ha dose. The fruit pH values increased with
increasing K doses.
o
The Brix value of fruit increased with increasing K doses
until 120 kg K2O/ha, after which it decreased. The lowest
o
Brix value (3.67%) was obtained by the control dose and
the highest (3.97%) by the 120 kg K2O/ha dose. Differences
between 40, 80, 120, and 160 K2O/ha doses were insig-
nificant; therefore, they were placed in the same Duncan
group (Table 4).
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According to variance analysis results, effects of K appli-
cation on total P, K, Ca, S, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu contents of
the leaf were statistically significant (P < 0.01), while those
on total N and Mg contents were insignificant.
As the K doses increased, total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg

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contents of the leaf also increased; S content increased and
then decreased (Table 5). Generally, P, K, and Ca contents
of the leaf were obtained by the highest K dose (160 kg
K2O/ha), and the highest S content was obtained by the 40
and 80 kg K2O/ha doses. As the K dose increased, the K
content of the leaf also increased. Even though these results
placed the doses in the same Duncan group, the highest K
content of the leaf was not obtained by the highest K dose
(Table 5).
Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu contents of the leaf increased and
then decreased with the increasing K doses. While the
highest Zn and B contents were obtained by the control
dose, the highest Fe and Mn contents were obtained by the
80 kg K2O/ha dose and the highest Cu contents were
obtained by the 40 kg K2O/ha dose. In the K doses that gave
the highest Fe and Mn contents, the lowest Zn and Cu
contents were observed (Table 6). In addition, micronutrient
contents of a healthy tomato leaf collected during the
blossoming period were normal, according to the limit
values reported by Jones et al. (1991). These results demonstrate
that the micronutrients in the experiment soil were sufficient
 Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 54(1):20-28. 2013. 25

Table 7. Correlation data between nutrient contents of the leaf and yield-fruit quality components of tomato.

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Table 8. Relationship between tomato yield and nutrient content of the leaf and K2O application.

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and that it was important to remedy the Mn deficiency and
balance fertilization.
According to the correlation data (Table 7) between macro-
and micronutrient contents of the leaf and fruit yield quality
components, positive and negative correlations (P < 0.01
and P < 0.05, respectively) were statistically determined
between the stem diameter and K and Mn contents (r =
0.515* and 0.704**, respectively); between plant height and
P (r = 0.537*), K (r = 0.579*), Ca (r = 0.566*), S (r =
-0.576*) and Mn (r = 0.511*) contents; between fruit
diameter and K (r = 0.881**), Ca (r = 0.690**), Fe (r =
0.547*) and Mn (r = 0.583*) contents; between fruit weight
and N (r = 0.629**), K (r = 0.800**), Ca (r = 0.618*), Fe (r
= 0.557*) and Mn (r = 0.605*) contents; between fruit
number and K (r = 0.648**) contents; between fruit hardness
and K (r = 0.519*), Ca (r = 0.748**) and S (r = -0.573*)
contents; between pH and P (r = 0.675**), K (r = 0.575*)
o
and Ca (r = 0.878**) contents; between Brix and K (r =
0.711**), Ca (r = 0.577*) and Mn (r = 0.533*) contents; and
between yield and P (r = 0.589*), K (r = 0.851**), Ca (r =
0.538*), Fe (r = 0.660**) and Mn (r = 0.792**) contents.
According to the correlation analysis, stepwise regression
equations between nutrients have the highest correlations
with fruit yield as shown below (Table 8).
2
In the regression analysis, the corrected R value in the
2
third equation is lower than the corrected R value in the
2
second; therefore, the corrected R in the third equation was
   ™ GR]H 
2
canceled and the corrected R value (0.76) in the second
equation was considered for correlation between fruit yield
and nutrient contents of the leaf. K and Mn contents of the
tomato leaf accounted for the fruit yield at a rate of 76%
(Table 8).
Additionally, a nonlinear (quadratic) regression equation
as in the Table 8 was determined between maximum yield
and amounts of applied K2O (Equation 4).
Discussion
The tomato yield was low with the low K doses. The
reason for the decreasing yield might be the unbalance in the
Ca/K and Mg/K ratios, which does not allow plants to obtain
enough Ca and Mg. As seen in Table 5, Mg content of the
leaf decreased with increasing K doses. Even though Ca
content of the leaf increased, the effects of immobile Ca in
the leaf on fruit yield can be low. In the highest dose of K,
the K content of the leaf was not the highest. Here, the
balance among K, Ca, and Mg in the soil was disrupted.
Zengin et al. (2009) tested the sugar beet plant in a similar
soil where Ca/K and Mg/K were not balanced and applied K
and Mg in increasing doses. They reported that the yield and
quality of the sugar beet increased with increasing K doses.
It is evident that the effects of K on the yield and quality of
tomato are dependent upon the effects of these nutrient
ratios and saturation values. Alan et al. (1992) also obtained
26 Efnan Çolpan, Mehmet Zengin, and Aynur Özbahçe
the highest processing tomato (Rio Grande) yield (68.00
-1
Mt·ha ) by application of 120 kg K2O/ha. Similarly, Dellacecca
et al. (1998) obtained a maximum yield of Montecarlo and
Erlidor tomato cultivars in a greenhouse in Italy by applying
150 kg K2O/ha. Kulyukin et al. (1993) in Russia obtained
the highest yield of the Rusich tomato cultivar by applying
the fast-soluble K fertilizer and lowest yield by applying the
slow-soluble K fertilizer. The results of this research and
that in the literature indicate that the effects of K on the
yield and quality of tomato are dependent upon the amount
of K applied.
Stem diameter increased with increasing K doses due to
the fact that K increases lignification and silicification in
plant structure (Leigh and Jones, 1997). One of the most
important features of the K ion is that it has a mechanism
that allows it to be absorbed by plant tissues quickly and in
large quantities (Aydemir and ønce, 1988).
o o
Fruit diameter, stem diameter, fruit number, Brix values
and yield increased with increasing K doses. These results
indicate that the Ca/K imbalance in the soil can be amended
by the application of 120 kg K2O/ha; higher doses affect the
balance negatively and might cause a decrease in yield and
yield components. Çolako÷lu (1985) found a correlation
between fruit size and K contents: when K levels are low,
fruits are small and when they are too high, fruits are too
large and have thick peels. Similarly, according to Aktaú
and Ateú (1998), application of inadequate amounts of K to
tomato plants cause poor flowering; thus, the fruit set decreases
and fruits become small, pale and have thick peels. Our
results of the effect of K on fruit diameter were similar to
the results of the previous studies (Aydın, 1996; Karakas,
1994; Yagmur, 1997).
Fruit number per plant is an important yield component;
both fruit number and fruit weight affect total tomato yield.
Smith et al. (1987) reported that tomato plants that do not
absorb adequate K have poor blossoming, causing a decrease
in fruit number. Our experimental results were similar to
those of the previously mentioned studies. Some researchers
(Smith and Clark, 1984; Smith et al., 1985) have reported
that K is the most important nutrient with regards to its
effects on tomato yield, fruit number and fruit hardness.
Other researchers (Aydın, 1996; Çolako÷lu, 1985; Karakas,
1994; Ya÷mur, 1990) have also reported that fruit weight
increases with increasing K doses.
Potassium application increased the fruit hardness. Demiral
et al. (1999) demonstrated a clear positive effect of increasing
K doses on fruit quality parameters such as soluble dry matter
and pulp hardness. Brüning (1976) indicated a positive
difference between K fertilization, fruit hardness and elasticity
values. As Kacar (1997) indicated, the increasing penetration
resistance of fruit with increasing K doses may result from
increasing thicknesses of sclerenchyma cell walls. Some
researchers (Smith and Clark, 1984; Smith et al., 1985) have
reported that K is the most important nutrient with regard to
fruit hardness.
Fertilization with K increased the pH value of the fruit.
Aydın (1996) produced results similar to those presented
o
here regarding the effects of K application on Brix values
o
and pH. Chiesa et al. (1998) reported that pH and Brix
values of stored tomatoes increased with increasing K doses.
According to Adams (1978), high K levels affect the acidity
level of fruit juice; K plays a positive role on pH, which is
important for fruit taste and aroma. Günay (1981) reported
that the plants that cannot absorb sufficient amounts of K
produce fruits with untimely maturation and bad aroma.
Günay (1981) recommended that, in soils where are K
levels are low, 100 kg K2O/ha with any type of K-containing
fertilizer should be applied to the soil or 2% potassium
sulfate solution should be sprayed on the plants.
The Brix value, namely the water-soluble dry matter rate,
must be high when high yields of paste and strong aroma are
o
demanded. Chiesa et al. (1998) reported that the Brix value
of stored tomatoes increased with increasing K doses. Aydın
(1996) indicated that K doses increased water-soluble dry
matter in tomato processing. Demiral et al. (1999) demonstrated
that increasing K doses clearly increased the water-soluble
dry matter of the Galia melon.
Fertilization with K increased total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg
contents of the leaf. In addition, S content increased and then
decreased with increasing K doses (Table 5). Zengin et al.
(2009) reported that most of the macronutrients in the sugar
beet leaf increased with increasing K doses. In this study,
the experimental soil had a high Ca content due to a high
(unbalanced) Ca/K ratio; therefore, the application of K to
tomato plants in an un-stressed environment might cause an
increase in Ca and might also cause an increase in the
uptake of other macronutrients. Doll and Lucas (1973) dem-
onstrated that the cation exchangeable capacity of a soil
must have approximately 3-5% K, 65-85% Ca and 6-12%
Mg ions to provide adequate amounts of K, Ca and Mg to
plants. Similarly, Jokinen (1981) reported that the ideal ratios
among the exchangeable cations must be approximately Ca/K
= 12, Ca/Mg = 6 and Mg/K = 2. However, saturations and
ratios of the above-mentioned elements in the experimental
soil of this study differ from these values; the Ca/K ratio has
a high value (Table 2).
In addition, while the N and P values of healthy tomato
leaves taken during the blossoming period were 3.20-4.50%
and 0.50-1.20%, respectively (Jones et al., 1991), values resulting
from this experiment were lower than these standard limits,
while the leaf contents of other macronutrients were normal
(Table 5). These results might be due to a deficiency of N in
the fertilizer or from a problem with N uptake from the soil.
Nutrient ratios are extremely important in tomato plants,
 Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 54(1):20-28. 2013.
especially for fruit quality. The N/K ratio of the leaf is
important for decreasing fruit cracking, water balance and
quality. The N/K ratio of the leaf is more important than the
N concentration due to the restrictive effects of low amounts
of N. In the tomato plant, the desired N/K ratio is between
1.2 and 1.8 (Campbell, 2000). In this experiment, N/K ratios
were between 0.43 and 0.33, depending on K doses; these
results were low compared to the target N/K ratio. Based on
soil and plant analyses, the necessity of fertilization programs
is clear. However, when determining fertilizer doses, yield
per ha is the most important factor, after which tomato variety,
approximate loss rate and product amount, especially targeted
yield, must be considered.
The reason for low P content in the leaf relative to standard
values could be the decision not to apply P fertilizer due to
high P content of the experiment soil. Phosphorus levels were
high in the soil sample taken from 10-15 cm depth, where P
accumulates. However, tomato is a deep-rooted plant, and
deeper layers of soil may be P-deficient. Therefore, soil speci-
mens must be taken from greater depths, such as 0-30 and
30-60 cm.
The increase in total Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu contents of the
leaf with increasing K doses (Table 6) may result from
synergism among K and said elements (Aktaú and Ateú,
1998).
According to the correlation data between macro- and
micronutrient contents of the leaf and fruit yield and quality
components, as the yield increased, S content of the leaf
decreased due to the effect dilution. Positive correlations
were found between K content of the leaf and yield and all
yield components. Thus, maintaining the levels K in the leaf
within specific limits is extremely important for maintaining
tomato quality and yield.
It was understood from correlation (Table 7) and regression
(Table 8) analyses that 105.3 kg K2O must be applied to 1
ha to obtain maximum fruit yield. Therefore, the dose of
110 kg K2O/ha should be suggested to farmers in order to
reach the highest tomato yield under similar conditions. In
conclusion, maximum tomato yield was obtained by appli-
cation of 120 kg K2O/ha; however the dose of 80 kg K2O/ha
was in the same Duncan group with 120 kg K2O/ha. Appli-
cation of 110 kg K2O/ha is recommended to reach the maximum
yield according to a nonlinear (quadratic) regression equation
between maximum yield and K2O dose. Potassium doses
increased fruit quality components as well as the yield. The
reason for this increase in yield and quality components
might be the disruption of the Ca/K balance (Ca/K ratio was
too high) in the soil or an unbalanced N/K ratio in the leaf.
Therefore, N fertilizer must be applied according plant
variety and the results of soil analysis. The application of K
fertilizer must also be considered.
27
Acknowledgements: This study was carried out within
the project supported by Coordinator of Scientific Researches
of University of Selcuk with number 10201109. The authors
are grateful to the Coordinator of Scientific Researches for
providing money support.
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