Differential Effects of Aluminum on the Vegetative Growth of Tomato Cultivars in Acid Soil and Nutrient Solution1

Tomato cultivars developed in Brazil, Hawaii, and different parts of the continental United States differed significantly in their tolerance to an acid (pH 4.2), Al-toxic Bladen soil. Cultivars showing greatest tolerance included ‘BGH 588’ (Brazil), ‘Ace’ (Calif.) and Owyhee’ (Idaho); those showing low tolerance included ‘BGH 402’ (Brazil), Anahu’ (Hawaii), and Truckers Favorite’. Differential Al tolerances of ‘BGH 588’, ‘BGH 402’, and ‘Truckers Favorite’ were confirmed in nutrient solutions containing a range of Al concentrations. Tolerance to Al-toxic Bladen soil, measured by vegetative growth, was not associated with reported resistance to blossom end rot (Ca deficiency). Cultivars showing the greatest tolerance to acid Bladen soil tended to contain lower concentrations of Al, Ca, and P in their tops than did the more sensitive cultivars. In nutrient solutions containing Al, the tops of Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive cultivars generally contained similar concentrations of Al, P, and Ca. Roots of tolerant cultivars tended to contain lower concentrations of Al and P and sometimes Ca. Results suggest the possibility of developing tomato cultivars specifically for greater tolerance to acid soil environments which cannot be economically corrected. An example would be strongly acid Al-toxic soil zones beneath the plow layer.