Tomato

Tomato crop guide – get the most of your tomato fertilizer

The tomato crop guide provides a thorough knowledge base for tomato growers, from general information to growing conditions, to plant nutrition and fertilization recommendations under various growth environments. All meant to help you to get the most out of your tomato fertilizer.

A few tips you should know about tomato fertilizer: 

1.  When its time to choose the right tomato fertilizer, the first thing you should keep in mind is the fact that the greatest absorption of nutrients in tomato occurs in the first 8 to 14 weeks of growth, and another peak takes place after the first fruit removal. Therefore, the plant requires high nitrogen application early in the growing season with supplemental applications after the fruit initiation stage. 
2. The form in which N is supplied is of major importance in producing a successful tomato crop.
3. Improved N use efficiency and greater yields are achieved when N is applied under polyethylene mulches via a drip irrigation system. At least 50% of the total N should be applied as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3- ).
4. The optimal ratio between ammonium and nitrate depends on growth stage and on the pH of the growing medium.
5. Ample amounts of potassium must be supplied to the crop in order to ensure optimal K levels in all major organs, mainly due to the key role K plays in tomatoes.
6. Calcium is also an essential ingredient of cell walls and plant structure. It is the key element responsible for the firmness of tomato fruits. It delays senescence in leaves, thereby prolonging leaf's productive life, and total amount of assimilates produced by the plans.