I = Initiation growth stage; II = Flowering – Fruit set; III = Development – harvesting.
Nutrition database for soilless tomatoes
concentration
Rockwool
Rockwool (reuse drainage)
Plant – dry matter (7-8%)
Parameter
Nutrient Solution
Root Environ.
Nutrient Solution
Root Environ.
Guiding Range
Deficient
Excessive
EC (mS/cm)
2.6
3.7
1.6
3.7
(mg/l)
(mg/l)
(%)
NH4
21.6
9.0
18.0
9.0
N-NH4
16.6
6.9
13.8
6.9
K in sap
0.67 –0.74
0.47
K
371.5
312.8
254.2
312.8
3.52– 5.08
2.35
Ca
216.5
401.0
110.3
401.0
1.60 - 3.21
0.80
Mg
58.3
109.4
24.3
109.4
0.36 - 0.49
0.36
N, total
2.80 – 4.20
NO3
992.0
1426.0
666.5
1426.0
N-NO3
223.9
321.9
150.5
321.9
S, total
1.28
SO4
422.8
653.5
144.2
648.7
P
0.31– 0.46
0.31
H2PO4
145.5
97.0
121.3
97.0
Si
Na
mg/Kg (ppm)
Fe
0.838
0.838
0.838
1.396
83.8 – 111.7
Mn
0.549
0.385
0.549
0.275
54.9-164.8
> 1098**
Zn
0.327
0.458
0.262
0.458
39.2*
32.7
B
0.324
0.540
0.216
0.540
54.0 – 75.6
32.4
> 75.6
Cu
0.048
0.044
0.048
0.044
6.4
Mo
0.048
-
0.048
-
2.9 - 3.7
* in petioles
** in old leaves
Important note: The a/m database was prepared to fit Dutch conditions (low transpiration and low EC of the water). Some modifications may be required to correspond to your local conditions.
sources:
N. Straver. Nutrient solutions for vegetables and flowers grown in water or substrates. 10th Ed. 1994.
C. de Kreij, Sonneveld C., Warmenhoven M.G. and Straver N.A. Guide values for nutrient element contents of vegetables and flowers under glass. 3rd Ed. 1992.
Nutrition recommendations for soilless tomatoes
Suggested by Matt Thomas, MULTIFERT AGENCIES, Victoria, Australia.
Growth conditions:
Greenhouse, growth medium: 90% scoria (tuff) + 10% peat.
Drainage to waste should be effected at around 25% of input.
Assumptions regarding water test: 70 ppm Calcium, 60 ppm of Magnesium.
Target Yield : 90-120 MT /ha.
There are two phases of production: Phase 1: Rooting phase with high Phosphorus (P) requirement.
This phase will run until the second fruit floor and the K (Potassium) to N (Nitrogen) ratio will be in the range 1:1 rising to 1.5:1 at last stage Phase 2: Production phase. Potassium is critical and ratio K:N will rise in range 1.5:1 through to 2.0:1
It will be wise to establish a two tank system because:
Some nutrients do not sit well together, Phosphorus should not be mixed with Calcium or Magnesium.
It is essential that no more than 15% of your Nitrogen be applied in the Ammonium form due to the lack of nitrification in media.
A. Recommended solution required for tomatoes in production phase
N
P
K
Mg
Ca
S
Ratio
1
0.25
1.7
0.25
0.8
0.1
Conc. mg/l (ppm)
250
63
425
63
200
38
B. Nutrient solution parameters
pH
EC mmhos/cm
Ammonium Conc.
6-6.5
2.2-2.5
10-15% max
Recommendations
Phase 1 Rooting, approx 25 days
Fertilizer type and rates
N
P
K
Ca
Mg
0.66 g/l of Multi K (potassium nitrate)
85.5
266
0.2 g/l of phosphoric acid
48
0.1g/l of ammonium nitrate
34
0.25g/l MAP
18
41
0.61 g/l Calcium Nitrate
….
….
0.2g/l Magnisal (magnesium nitrate)
….
…..
Total in ppm
254.5
89
266
180
80
*note 219.5 ppm as Nitrate N and 35ppm as Ammonium N.
Inject 25 litres/1000 litres of Phosphoric acid into irrigation lines.
Inject from each tank 5-6 liters per 1000 liters of irrigation water.
Phase 2 Production approx 60-90 days
Fertilizer type and rates
N
P
K
Ca
Mg
1.05 g/l of Multi-K (potassium nitrate)
136
400
0.26 g/l phosphoric acid +
Water - Calcium 70 ppm , Magnesium 60 ppm
70
60
0.56 g/l Calcium Nitrate
87
100
0.2g/l Magnisal (magnesium nitrate)
22
20
Total in ppm
245
63
400
170
80
*note 245 ppm as Nitrate N.
How to use
Fertilizer
Tank A
kg/1000 liters
Tank B
Kg/1000 liters
Multi-K
130kg
Calcium Nitrate
70kg
Magnisal
25kg
Inject 32.5 litres/1000 liters of Phosphoric acid into irrigation lines.
- Inject from each tank 6 liters per cubic meter of irrigation water.
It will also be worth applying chelated trace elements to Tank A. There are mixed trace element products available such as “Librel BMX” or “Haifa Micro”, to be applied as stated on the directions for use.
Notes:
The balance of K/Mg/Ca can be changed by addition of Potassium Nitrate, and Calcium Nitrate or Magnesium Nitrate addition or reduction.
In the case of Magnesium deficiency a foliar spray of Magnesium Nitrate can be applied 2-3 times (every 10 days) at 0.5-1% concentration: ie: 1-1.5 kg in 100 liters of water and spray to wet.
Acid (Phosphoric) can be used for pH and bicarbonates reduction and can be added to Tank A. or direct to irrigation line. Phosphoric acid can also be used as a source of phosphorus for nutrition but be careful not to lower Tank A. pH below 3.5 as you will break chelated micro-element bonds.
THIS RECOMMENDATION IS MADE ON BEST PRACTICE DERIVED FROM ISRAELI EXPERIENCE. NO GUARANTEES ARE MADE IN RESPECT OF YIELD OR CROP PERFORMANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO REFLECT ON SITE CONDITIONS SUCH AS WATER QUALITY AND RATIOS OF NUTRIENTS.
Nutrition recommendations for Greenhouse soil grown truss tomatoes
Suggested by Matt Thomas, MULTIFERT AGENCIES, Victoria, Australia
The rates are based on the assumption that minimum 10% of the N and K will be applied as pre-plant and up to 50% of P applied as pre-plant.
N
P
K
Recommended fertilizer
--------------kg/ha-------------
20-30
25
30-40
12-5-14 at 250 kg/ha or similar
30
12.5
35
Supplied by Above
B. Through irrigation system
Growth stage
Germination/ Planting to 6-8 leaves
6-8 leaves to fruit set
Ripening and picking
Anticipated days
20
25
50
Poly-Feed
19-8-16 +TE
19-8-16 +TE
12-2.6-33 +TE
Rate kg/ha/week
60kg
60kg
80kg
Nutrient Applied by above (kg/ha)
N
P
K
Ca
Mg
(Approx)
213
59
287
42
33
Supplemental to above recommendations
Growth stage
6-8 leaves to fruit set
Ripening and picking
Anticipated Days
25
50
Rate kg/ha/week
25kg Calcium Nitrate
15kg Calcium Nitrate
Fertilizer
30kg Magnesium Sulphate
30kg Magnesium Sulphate
Additional information:
The balance of K/Mg/Ca can be changed by addition of Potassium Nitrate, and Calcium Nitrate or Magnesium Nitrate addition or reduction.
If required and additional foliar spray of Potassium Nitrate may be applied in bulking stage.
Potassium Nitrate 1kg plus 200 grams of Tech MAP per 100 liters of water and spray to wet - use of a surfactant/ spreader is advised.
In the case of Magnesium deficiency a foliar spray of Magnesium Nitrate can be applied 2-3 times (every 10 days) at 0.5-1% concentration: i.e.: 1-1.5 kg in 100 liters of water and spray to wet.
Notes:
1.Fertilizer should be evenly divided over all irrigations. e.g.: If recommended rate is 25 kg per ha per week and there are 5 irrigations, then 5kg per irrigation.
2. For a greenhouse size 200 ft x 30 ft = approx 560 square meters or 0.05 of a ha.
Therefore a rate of: 25kg/ha/wk = 1.25 kg per greenhouse per week
30kg/ha/wk = 1.50 kg per greenhouse per week.
THE ABOVE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED ON BEST KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH AT THE TIME ARE BASED ON OPTIMUM YIELDS.
NO GUARANTEE ON YIELDS OR QUALITY ARE MADE OR IMPLIED.
Tomatoes - Nutrients values
Mature leaves and petioles
Nutrient
Average value
Critical level
(%)
N
5.10
2.20
S
0.80
0.24
P
0.65
0.18
K
3.20
1.10
Mg
0.41
0.17
Ca
2.90
0.90
Na
0.06
(ppm)
Fe
160
40
Al
115
Mn
130
40
B
52
20
Cu
20
3
Zn
36
15
Mo
1.0
Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product
Source: Kinoch: VOLHOUBARE LANDBOU, RSA. Processed by Frans Lourens, Haifa, RSA May, 1999.
Plant analysis guide
Tomatoes
N
S
P
K
Mg
Ca
Na
B
Zn
Mn
Fe
Cu
Al
Mo
-------------------- % --------------------
------ p.p.m --------
From
3.00
0.50
0.30
2.50
0.50
2.00
0.01
40
35
100
100
8
20
To
6.00
0.90
0.80
5.00
1.00
6.00
0.10
60
50
200
200
20
200
Plant part to sample
Time of Sampling
Plant Part
Tomatoes, canning
Early bloom
Petiole of 4th leaf from growing tip
Fruit 1’’dia
First color
Plant tissue sampling procedures
Stage of growth
Plant Part
Before or during early bloom stage
Third or fourth leaves from the growing tip
In California
Field with less than 0.7 meq/100 g exchangeable K showed a wide range of color disorder severity, with an average of 20 percent of fruit affected. Conversely, field with greater than 0.7 meq/100 g exchangeable K averaged only 7 percent color disorders.
The combination of gypsum and K reduced total color disorders by 54 percent. Soil K application significantly decreased IWT (Internal White Tissue) and total color disorders.
The ratio K/√Mg will allow the processing tomato industry to use routine soil testing to rank fields for the relative danger of encountering severs YS (Yellow Shoulder) and IWT expression and to suggest appropriate soil amendment strategies. Fields with soil K/√Mg greater than 0.25 averaged only 4 percent color disorders.
Source: Hartz, T.K. (1999). Potassium requirements for maximum yield and quality of processing tomato. Better Crops 83(2):26-28.
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