Effects of sulfur-coated urea fertilizer regimes on production of processing tomatoes on a sandy loam

An initial broadcast application of sulfur-coated urea (SCU) fertilizer or 75% SCU — 25% ammonium nitrate (AN) provided no additional benefit over a similarly applied AN application in promoting vine growth or fruit yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Additionally, AN alone promoted a significantly lower fruit pH. Irrigation effects did not interact with those of fertilizer treatments, but irrigation did significantly increase ripe yield 31% and vine dry weight 41%. The only effect of irrigation on fruit quality was a decrease in fruit soluble solids.