Role of Phosphorus in Tomato Production
Phosphorus is a component of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and essential for energy transfer within the plant. Thus it has a direct effect on yield and quality.
Phosphorus and yield
In soils with low available phosphorus, fertilizer phosphate increases fruit yield and ripening, reducing the number of green fruit at harvest, as trials with processing tomatoes in Italy show.
Phosphorus and TSS
In the same trials, phosphorus also ensured a significant increase in TSS, improving processing quality.
General guidelines for phosphate application
Phosphorus is not needed in large quantities. Around 44.6lb/ac is all that is required during the season for field grown crops. Phosphorus is used during early growth ensuring a good start for the crop and again at flowering and fruit set.
| Phosphorus at tomato growth stages | |
| Establishment | Maximizes root development |
| Vegetative growth | Ensures continued growth |
| Flowering - fruit set | Fruit development |
| Fruit ripening - maturity | Boosts tomato nutritional quality |
