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Crop Guide: Tomato Fertilizer Recommendations
Index:
1. Tomato crop guide: Fertilization recommendations
The recommendations appearing in this document should be regarded as a general guide only. The exact fertilization program should be determined according to the specific crop needs, soil and water conditions, cultivar, and the grower’s experience. For detailed recommendations, consult a local Haifa representative.
Disclaimer: Any use of the information given here is made at the reader’s sole risk. Haifa Chemicals Ltd. provides no warranty whatsoever for "Error Free" data, nor does it warrants the results that may be obtained from use of the provided data, or as to the accuracy, reliability or content of any information provided here.
In no event will Haifa Chemicals Ltd. or its employees be liable for any damage or punitive damages arising out of the use of or inability to use the data included.

2. Soil-grown tomatoes
2a. Haifa NutriNet™ web software for Nutigation™ programs
Haifa fertilization recommendations are available online. Click on http://www.haifa-nutrinet.com to enter into NutriNet™, a unique software program, that will assist you to workout the recommended fertilizer rates at different growth stages according to the expected yield under your growing conditions.
The following is an example of recommendations of open field grown tomatoes on sandy loam soil, as determined by NutriNet, with the assumption of split scheduled fertilization into:
a) Base-dressing (pre-plant) fertilizers followed by:
b) Nutrigation (fertigation) at different growth stages, on sandy-clay soil when the expected yield is 120 ton/Ha:
a) Base-dressing:
B) Nutrigation (fertigation):
Total amount of fertigated fertilizers
B) Nutrigation (fertigation):
Table 10: The total contribution of plant nutrients from each fertilizer as calculated by NutriNet™:
Fertilizer | kg/ha | N | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammonium nitrate 34-0-0 | 374.4 | 123.6 |
| |||
Haifa-MAP 12-61-0 | 139.3 | 16.7 | 85 | |||
Multi-K® 13-0-46 | 1080.4 | 140.5 |
| 497 | ||
Calcium nitrate (26% CaO) | 119.2 | 17.9 |
| 31 | ||
Magnesium sulfate (16% MgO) | 112.5 |
| 18 | |||
Total | 1826 | 311 | 85 | 497 | 31 | 18 |
Table 11: Recommended nutrient rates per ha per day and per growth stage as calculated by NutriNet™:
Phase | Days from sowing | kg/ha/day | kg/ha/phase | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO | N | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO | ||
Planting | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Vegetative | 2-15 | 0.57 | 0.14 | 0.93 | 0.07 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
Flowering | 16-30 | 0.6 | 0.13 | 0.93 | 0.07 | 0.07 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
Fruit set | 31-40 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Fruit growth | 41-60 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.05 | 24 | 6 | 38 | 2 | 1 |
1st harvest | 61-65 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
Harvest | 66-120 | 2.36 | 0.65 | 3.78 | 0.24 | 0.15 | 130 | 36 | 208 | 13 | 8 |
Harvest | 121-170 | 1.78 | 0.48 | 2.84 | 0.18 | 0.1 | 89 | 24 | 142 | 9 | 5 |
Last harvest | 171-210 | 1.78 | 0.48 | 2.85 | 0.18 | 0.1 | 71 | 19 | 114 | 7 | 4 |
Total | 344 | 93 | 548 | 35 | 19 |
Table 12: Recommended fertilizers rates per growth stage
Phase | Days from | kg/ha/phase | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammonium | Haifa-MAP™* | Multi-K®* | Haifa-Cal®* | Magnesium sulfate (16% MgO) | ||
Planting | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Vegetative | 2-15 | 24 | 3 | 28 | 4 | 0 |
Flowering | 16-30 | 26 | 3 | 30 | 4 | 6 |
Fruit set | 31-40 | 18 | 3 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
Fruit growth | 41-60 | 71 | 10 | 83 | 8 | 6 |
1st harvest | 61-65 | 18 | 3 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
Harvest | 66-120 | 382 | 59 | 452 | 50 | 50 |
Harvest | 121-170 | 262 | 39 | 309 | 35 | 31 |
Last harvest | 171-210 | 209 | 31 | 248 | 27 | 25 |
Total | 374 | 139 | 1080 | 119 | 113 |
*
Multi-K® = Potassium nitrate
Haifa-MAP™ = Mono-ammonium phosphate
Haifa-Cal® = Calcium nitrate
Fertilization and fertigation rates may vary according to cultivar, growing method, climatic conditions, growth stages and expected yield. By using Haifa NutriNet™ (http://www.haifa-nutrinet.com) program on-line, you may obtain Haifa’srecommendations most suitable to your growing conditions by selecting the expected yield, growing method and growth stages.
2b. Tomato crop guide: Poly-Feed™ water-soluble NPK fertilizers
Table 13: Fertilization program for processing tomatoes. Expected yield: 50 ton/ha
Growth stage | Days | Poly-Feed™ | Kg/ha/day |
---|---|---|---|
Planting to flowering | 25 | 20-20-20 | 8 |
Flowering to fruit set | 30 | 14-7-21+ 2MgO | 15 |
Fruit set to harvest | 40 | 14-7-28+ 2MgO | 18 |
Foliar Feeding: To boost growth apply Poly-Feed™ Foliar Vegetative Booster every 15 days.
Volume: 200 L/ha. Concentration: 0.5% - 1%.
Table 14: Fertilization program for tomatoes in tunnels. Expected yield: 150 ton/ha
Growth stage | Days | Poly-Feed® | Kg/ha/day |
---|---|---|---|
Planting to flowering | 25 | 20-20-20 | 8 |
Flowering to fruit set | 20 | 14-7-21+ 2MgO | 15 |
Fruit set to 1st harvest | 35 | 14-7-28+ 2MgO | 17 |
1st Harvest to Last harvest | 100 | 14-7-28+ 2MgO | 18 |
Table 15: Fertilization program for tomatoes in greenhouse. Expected yield: 160 ton/ha
Growth stage | Days | Poly-Feed™ | Kg/ha/day | Total kg/ha |
---|---|---|---|---|
Planting to flowering | 8 | 15-30-15 | 8 | 64 |
Flowering to fruit set | 25 | 19-19-19 | 13 | 325 |
Fruit set to 1st harvest | 30 | 18-9-27 | 17 | 510 |
1st Harvest to Last harvest | 110 | 16-8-32 | 17 | 1870 |
To cure and prevent magnesium deficiencies, apply Magnisal™ by Nutrigation™ or foliar spray.
To cure and prevent calcium deficiencies, apply Haifa-Cal™ by Nutrigation™ or foliar spray.
2c. Tomato crop guide: Multicote™ Agri Controlled Release Fertilizer
An N:P2O:K2O ratio of 2:1:3* is recommended, as pre-plant application. This application will take care of the nutritional requirement of the plot for the entire growth season.
Multicote® Agri granules should be incorporated into the soil, 10cm deep and 10cm away from the planting row.
Consult a local Haifa representative for detailed explanations and instructions.
Table 16: Multicote® Agri application recommendations tomato in greenhouse
kg/ha | Analysis* | Longevity |
---|---|---|
2,500 - 4,000 | 17-9-27 | 8 months |
* The actual choice of formula should take into account soil type and addition of compost and any other factor that may affect the nutritional status of the soil.
2d. Tomato crop guide: Foliar nutrition
Foliar nutrition
Foliar feeding is a fast and highly effective method of supplementing and enriching plant nutrients when needed. Foliar application of Haifa water soluble fertilizers provides needed plant nutrients for normal development of crops when absorption of nutrients from the soil is disturbed, precision-timed foliar sprays are also a fast-acting and effective method for treating nutrient deficiencies.
Foliar application of the correct nutrients in relatively low concentrations at critical stages in crop development contributes significantly to higher yields and improved quality.
Determine safe foliar applied rate:
To verify the safe rate under local conditions, it is advisable to spray recommended rate on a few plants. After 3-4 days check the tested plants for scorching symptoms.
Preparation of tank-mix:
Dissolve Haifa water-soluble fertilizes in about half of the tank volume, and add to the spray tank. When applying together with crop-protection agents, addition of wetting agents is not necessary. To ensure compatibility of tank-mix components, a small-scale test should be performed prior to actual application.
Table 17: Haifa water-soluble fertilizers for foliar application:
Fertilizer | Curing Treatment | Recommended concentration |
---|---|---|
Haifa-Bonus™ | Potassium deficiency | 1 % - 2 % |
Haifa-MAP™ | Phosphorus deficiency | 0.5 % - 1 % |
Haifa-MKP™ | Phosphorus and potassium deficiency | 0.5 % - 1 % |
Magnisal® | Magnesium deficiency | 0.5 % - 0.75 % |
Poly-Feed® | N-P-K and micronutrients deficiency | 0.75 % - 1.5 % |
3. Soilless-grown tomatoes
3a. Tomato crop guide: Straight fertilizers
There are different growth media with different physical and chemical characteristics. The following are general fertilization recommendations for all soilless growth media.
Fertilizer stock solution: Once dissolved, not all fertilizers are inter-compatible with each other. Therefore, they have to be split into two fertilizer tanks: A and B, according to their compatibilities. Fertilizers containing phosphorus (P) or sulfur (S) should be dissolved in Tank A only, while fertilizers containing calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) should be dissolved in Tank B. Chelated micronutrients should be dissolved in Tank B, as well.
The concentration of the fertilizers stock solution depends on:
- The ambient temperature (higher ambient temperature enables higher concentration)
- The injection rate - how many liters of the fertilizer solution will be injected into each cubic meter (1000 liters) of the irrigated water
Dividing the injection capacity by one cubic meter should be the concentration of the fertilizer solution. If, for example, the injector delivers 5 L into each cubic meter of the irrigated water, multiply the amount of fertilizer dissolved in the tank by 200 (1000 L / 5 L = 200).
Examples of fertigation regimes in soilless grown tomatoes:
The following example was prepared to fit Dutch conditions (low transpiration and low water EC). Considerable and proportional reduction in the concentration of the macronutrients should be required to offset for lower quality water prevailing in other conditions.
Table 18: Nutrition database for tomatoes. Growth medium: rockwool.
Parameter | Nutrient solution (ppm) |
---|---|
EC (mS/cm) | 2.6 |
N- NH4 | 16.6 |
N- NO3 | 223.9 |
P | 46.5 |
H2PO4 | 145.5 |
K | 371.5 |
Ca | 216.5 |
Mg | 58.3 |
S, total | 140.9 |
SO4 | 422.8 |
Table 19: Recommended water-soluble fertilizers and their rates, to prepare the above recommended solution:
Fertilizers | g/m3 | Plant nutrients – g/m3 solution | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* | ||
Ammonium nitrate | 50 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-K® | 400 | 52 |
|
| 152 |
|
|
|
K2SO4 | 400 |
|
|
| 168 |
|
| 60 |
Haifa-Cal® | 1150 | 178.2 |
|
|
| 218.5 |
|
|
MgSO4 | 600 |
|
|
|
|
| 60 | 78 |
Haifa-MKP™ | 0 |
|
| 45.4 | 56 |
|
|
|
Total | 238.7 | 8.5 | 45.4 | 376 | 218.5 | 60 | 138 |
An Italian system for fertigation management in close-loop soilless culture of tomato are:
NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | Ca* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
200 | 14 | 30 | 310 | 160 | 35 | 80 |
Table 20: Recommended water-soluble fertilizers and their rates to prepare a fertilizer solution for the above Italian system:
Fertilizers | g/m3 | Plant nutrients – g/m3 solution | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* | ||
Ammonium nitrate | 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-K® | 600 | 78 |
|
| 228 |
|
|
|
K2SO4 | 200 |
|
|
| 84 |
|
| 30 |
Haifa-Cal® | 850 | 131.7 |
|
|
| 161.5 |
|
|
Magnisal® | 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MgSO4 | 350 |
|
|
|
|
| 35 | 45 |
Haifa-MAP™ | 100 |
| 12 | 27 |
|
|
|
|
Haifa-MKP™ | 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total | 209.7 | 12 | 27 | 312 | 161.5 | 35 | 75.5 |
EC value should be maintained at ~ 2.07 mS/cm
* conversion factors: P x 2.29 = P2O5 ; K x 1.20 = K2O ; Ca x 1.40 = CaO ; Mg x 1.66 = MgO ;
S x 3.00 = SO4
Table 21: Fertilizer recommendations for hydroponic (perlite, rockwool, and NFT) tomatoes in Florida(http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/CV216):
Nutrient | Growth stage | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Transplant to 1st cluster | 1st cluster to 2nd cluster | 2nd cluster to 3rd cluster | 3rd cluster to 5th cluster | 5th cluster to termination | |
Final delivered nutrient solution concentration (ppm)** | |||||
N | 70 | 80 | 100 | 120 | 150 |
P | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
K | 120 | 120 | 150 | 150 | 200 |
Ca* | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 |
Mg* | 40 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
S* | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 60 |
* Ca, Mg, and S concentrations may vary depending on Ca and Mg concentration in water and amount of sulfuric acid used for acidification.
** 1ppm = 1mg/liter
Table 22: Recommended water-soluble fertilizers and their rates to prepare a fertilizer solution from transplant to various growth stages as indicated in Table 21:
A. From transplant to 1st cluster
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
K2SO4 | 150 | 63 | 23 | |||||
Haifa-Cal® | 500 | 77.5 | 95 | |||||
MgSO4 | 400 | 40 | 52 | |||||
Haifa-MKP™ | 200 | 45.4 | 56 | |||||
Total | 77.5 | 0 | 45.4 | 119 | 95 | 40 | 75 |
B. From 1st to 2nd cluster
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
K2SO4 | 150 | 19.5 | 57 | |||||
Haifa-Cal® | 500 | 77.5 | 95 | |||||
MgSO4 | 400 | 40 | 52 | |||||
Haifa-MKP™ | 250 | 56.75 | 70 | |||||
Total | 97 | 0 | 56.75 | 127 | 95 | 40 | 52 |
* conversion factors: P x 2.29 = P2O5 ; K x 1.20 = K2O ; Ca x 1.40 = CaO ; Mg x 1.66 = MgO ;
S x 3.00 = SO4
C. From 2nd to 3rd cluster
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 400 | 52 | 152 | | | | ||
Haifa-Cal® | 500 | 77.5 | | | 95 | | | |
MgSO4 | 400 | | | | | 40 | 52 | |
Haifa-MAP™ | 180 | | 21.6 | 48.6 | | | | |
Total | 129.5 | 21.6 | 48.6 | 152 | 95 | 40 | 52 |
D. From 3rd to 5th cluster
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 400 | 52 | 152 | | | | ||
Haifa-Cal® | 500 | 77.5 | | | 95 | | | |
MgSO4 | 500 | | | | | 50 | 65 | |
Haifa-MAP™ | 180 | | 21.6 | 48.6 | | | | |
Total | 129.5 | 21.6 | 48.6 | 152 | 95 | 50 | 65 |
E. From From 5th cluster to Termination
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | S* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 530 | 68.9 | 201.4 | | | | ||
Haifa-Cal® | 500 | 77.5 | | | 95 | | | |
MgSO4 | 500 | | | | | 50 | 65 | |
Haifa-MAP™ | 180 | | 21.6 | 48.6 | | | | |
Total | 146.4 | 21.6 | 48.6 | 201.4 | 95 | 50 | 65 |
Table 23: Recommendations for greenhouse soilless grown tomatoes, in Israel, according to the growing stages (NH4/NO3ratio=0.1- 0.2):
Physiological stage | Concentration in the irrigation solution (dripper) (ppm) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* | |
Planting and establishment | 120-150 | 40-50 | 180-220 | 100-120 | 40-50 |
Flowering | 150-180 | 40-50 | 220-270 | 100-120 | 40-50 |
Ripening and harvest | 180-200 | 40-50 | 270-300 | 100-120 | 50-80 |
* conversion factors: P x 2.29 = P2O5 ; K x 1.20 = K2O ; Ca x 1.40 = CaO ; Mg x 1.66 = MgO ;
S x 3.00 = SO4
Table 24: Recommended water-soluble fertilizers and their rates to prepare a fertilizer solution as indicated in Table 16 (above):
A. Planting and establishment
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 200-300 | 26-39 | 0 | 0 | 76-114 | 0 | 0 |
K2SO4 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 0 | 0 |
Haifa-Cal® | 520-600 | 81-93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99-114 | 0 |
MgSO4 | 400-500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40-50 |
Haifa-MAP™ | 150-180 | 0 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 107-132 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 181-219 | 99-114 | 40-50 |
B. Flowering
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 300-430 | 39-56 | 0 | 0 | 114-163 | 0 | 0 |
K2SO4 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 0 | 0 |
Haifa-Cal® | 520-600 | 81-93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99-114 | 0 |
Magnisal | 100 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MgSO4 | 300-350 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30-35 |
Haifa-MAP™ | 150-180 | 0 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 131-160 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 219-268 | 99-114 | 39-44 |
C. Ripening and harvest
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 440-500 | 57-65 | 0 | 0 | 167-190 | 0 | 0 |
K2SO4 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 0 | 0 |
Haifa-Cal® | 530-600 | 82-93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101-114 | 0 |
Magnisal | 170 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MgSO4 | 350-650 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35-65 |
Haifa-MAP™ | 150-180 | 0 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 158-77 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 272-295 | 101-114 | 50-80 |
* conversion factors: P x 2.29 = P2O5 ; K x 1.20 = K2O ; Ca x 1.40 = CaO ; Mg x 1.66 = MgO ;
S x 3.00 = SO4
S x 3.00 = SO4
Fertilizers | g/m3 | NO3 | NH4 | P* | K* | Ca* | Mg* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multi-K® | 440-500 | 57-65 | 0 | 0 | 167-190 | 0 | 0 |
K2SO4 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 0 | 0 |
Haifa-Cal® | 530-600 | 82-93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101-114 | 0 |
Magnisal | 170 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MgSO4 | 350-650 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35-65 |
Haifa-MAP™ | 150-180 | 0 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 158-77 | 18-22 | 41-49 | 272-295 | 101-114 | 50-80 |
3b. Tomato crop guide: Poly-Feed™ water soluble NPK fertilizers
Poly-Feed® water soluble NPK fertilizers
Table 25: Recommended composition of nutritional solution for soilless-grown tomatoes
A. In temperate or cold climate with low sun radiation and soft water (e.g. North and North-East Europe, North France, UK, Japan, Korea)
Concentration in irrigation water (ppm) | Recommended | Conc. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | P | K | Ca | Mg | ||
190 | 50 | 310 | 150 | 45 | 14-10-34+ME | 1.1 |
Some acid and Haifa-Cal® calcium nitrate should be added to adjust the pH and to complete calcium requirements.
B. In hot climate with high sun radiation and hard water (e.g. Middle East, Mediterranean countries)
Concentration in irrigation water (ppm) | Recommended | Conc. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | P | K | Ca | Mg | ||
170 | 45 | 225 | 105 | 40 | 17-10-27 | 1.0 |
Some acid and Haifa-Cal® calcium nitrate should be added to adjust the pH and to complete calcium requirements.
Need more information about growing tomatoes? You can always return to the tomato fertilizer & tomato crop guide table of contents or the tomato plant stages
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