Effect of fresh bark media on phosphorus status of tomato plants1

Abstract

Phosphorus status of tomato (cv Floradel) was determined in two experiments where plants were grown in fresh or aged softwood bark or a control medium (perlitetsand, 3:1). The P concentration of plants grown in fresh bark was lower than for those grown in other media. Highly significant correlation coefficients were obtained between growth and P concentrations. The results strongly suggest that growth depression of plants grown in fresh bark is due to bark‐induced P deficiency.