Two experiments were carried out at Epagri, Experimental Station of Caçador, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in the years 2011/12 and 2012/13 in order to evaluate three modes of phosphorus fertilization in soils with low phosphorus levels in two tomato cultivars. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial 3x2, with four replications. The treatments consisted of three modes of phosphorus application (M1= application of 100% of the recommended dose in the plant furrow before planting; M2= application of 50% of the recommended dose in the plant furrow before planting and 50%, side dressing through the drip irrigation; M3= broadcast application of 50% of the recommended dose simultaneously to the sowing of oats, five months before tomato planting, and 50% in the furrow before planting, with two tomato cultivars 'Paronset' and 'Alambra'). The recommended dose of phosphorus was 800 kg/ha. The two split modes of application of phosphorus, were advantageous to tomato yield compared to the mode with only a single application at pre-planting. Phosphorus application methods studied affect tomato, and the M2 and M3 modes presented the best performance. The cultivars did not differ in relation to productivity, but 'Paronset' stood out in comparison to 'Alambra' due to its higher productivity of fruits classes "extra AA".
Solanum lycopersicum; phosphate fertilization; drip fertigation; plant nutrition
