Published 2009-12-01
Abstract
There has been a renewed interest in S defi ciencies because of the reduction in atmospheric depositions from the institution of clean air referendums across the world. A study was conducted from Feb. to June 2008 to determine the influence of S fertilization rates and irrigation programs on tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) growth and yield. The experiment was arranged as a split-plot with six replications, where irrigation program was the main plot and S rate was the sub-plot. The irrigation programs were 3528, 5292, and 7056 gal of water per acre per day. The S rates were 0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 lbs S per acre. Irrigation program increased vigor early in the season before fruit set, but did not continue to infl uence visual vigor ratings as the fruit were set. At the fi rst harvest of tomatoes, the rate of 25 lb/acre S increased yield by 1.3 ton/acre over the non-treated control. Increasing the S rate beyond 25 lb/acre S had less yield than 25 lb/acre S, but more than the non-treated control.