Fertilizer-Plant Population Studies for Once-Over Tomato Harvest1

Abstract Growth rate of several tomato cultivars, indexed by stem diameter measurements, was not influenced by broadcasting 50–100–100 lb./A fertilizer, by sidedressing 60 to 80 lb N, or by increasing the plant population from 5,800 to 23,200 plants/A in either single or dual rows at 2 locations. Broadcasting 5–10–10 fertilizer prior to planting increased total yields, but the earliest maximum yield of marketable fruit was delayed. Sidedressing N also delayed the earliest maximum yield. Fertilizer application did not influence fruit size, but size was reduced at high plant populations and at later harvests. The once-over maximum yield was increased at a high plant population when spacing between dual rows was 18 or 24 inches.