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The Absorption of Nutrient Elements by Tomatoes Associated with Levels of Bulk Density¹

ABSTRACT

Data are presented to show some of the relationships between soil moisture tension, air space, and soil density and their effect on the total nutrient absorption by tomato plants. Every effort was made to establish clearly defined treatments and evaluate changes in soil moisture during the experiment. The experiment consisted of two parts. In one, integrated mean air space was maintained at 0.15 cm.³ per cm.³, while densities ranged from about 1.2 to 1.6 g. per cm.³, resulting in integrated mean soil moisture tensions from 0.01 to 5 bars; in the other, for the same densities, mean soil moisture tension was 0.7 bar, and consequently mean air space ranged from about 0.32 to 0.09 cm.³ per cm.³ In almost every case there was a significant negative correlation between total nutrient absorbed per plant and increasing soil moisture tension. Total nutrient absorbed by the plant was independent of density as long as soil moisture tension was 0.7 bar, even though density and air spaces were maintained over a wide range. Likewise, except for boron and phosphorus, a positive correlation was found between concentration of nutrient absorbed at time of harvest and soil moisture tension. No significant correlation existed when soil moisture was maintained at 0.7 bar.

¹ Contribution from the Departments of Vegetable Crops and Irrigation, University of California, Davis.

² Associate Olericulturist and Assistant Soil Physicist, respectively.

Received for publication April 24, 1961. Accepted for publication June 6, 1961.