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Pioneering The Future
Crop Guide: Tomato Fertilizer Recommendations

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Crop Guide: Tomato Fertilizer Recommendations

Index:
 
  1. Fertilization recommendations     
  2. Soil-grown tomatoes  
  3. Soilless-grown tomatoes  

 

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 
/ planting

kg/ha/day

kg/ha/phase

NP2O5K2OCaOMgONP2O5K2OCaOMgO

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
sowing 
/ planting

kg/ha/phase

Ammonium 
nitrate 
34-0-0

Haifa-MAP™* 
12-61-0

Multi-K®*
13-0-46

Haifa-Cal®*
15.5-0-0
+26CaO

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™
formula

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®
formula

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™
formula

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:

  1. The ambient temperature (higher ambient temperature enables higher concentration)
  2. 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:

Fertilizersg/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:

Fertilizersg/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
 
 
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
Poly-Feed® formula

Conc.
(kg/m3)

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
Poly-Feed® formula

Conc.
(kg/m3)

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