Polyhalite as a sulfur source for fresh market tomato production in Brazil

Abstract

Polyhalite (PH), a naturally occurring multinutrient fertilizer containing potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), has improved tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in Brazil but a specific response by tomato to the S in PH is not confirmed. We compared four S sources – PH, sulfate of potash (SOP), sulfate of potash magnesia (SOPM), and single super phosphate (SSP) – applied at a target application rate of 40?kg?S?ha^?1 to fertilizers with no S (muriate of potash, MOP), and no K or S at commercial application rates in three commercial fields in Brazil with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and K applied at recommended rates of 355, 500, and 200–300?kg?ha^?1, respectively. Consistent across locations, PH increased total yields over the control, MOP, and SSP, with SOP and SOPM higher than the control but not MOP or SSP. Only PH increased marketable yields compared to the control. Yields increased linearly with fruit numbers per plant which were higher for PH than the control or MOP, indicating higher fruit set in PH contributed to yield differences. While fertilizers increased leaf K and S concentrations and soil test K and SO₄–S, yield differences did not appear to be related solely to either K or S fertilization, nor to Mg fertilizers to which there was no response. Leaf and fruit Ca concentrations were higher in PH than the control and MOP at some locations suggesting Ca improved fruit set in PH. Results suggest tomato likely responded to the multinutrient content or solubility pattern of PH.