How to grow tomatoes with Haifa Fertilizers

Our fertilization program regards different growing medium and conditions

Growing medium: Open field.
Soil type: Sandy loam (light).
Plant population: 11000 -12500 plants/Ha.
Expected yield: 100 T/Ha.

The fertilization program should be adapted according to soil analysis.

Recommended average rates of nutrients for tomatoes

N	P₂O₅	K₂O
---------------- Kg/Ha -----------------
250-350	270-280	500-700

Base-Dressing

Nutrient demand

Recommended fertilizers
N	P₂O₅	K₂O	KCI	SSP
-------------- Kg/Ha --------------			-------- Kg/Ha --------
-	80-100	150	90	470-520

Fertigation

Growth stage after planting	Nutrient demand			Recommended fertilizers
	N	P₂O₅	K₂O	Poly-Feed	Multi-K	MAP	AN
	-------- Kg/Ha -------			-------------- Kg/Ha --------------
First 2 weeks	10	10	10	50	-	-	-
Veg. Growth - flowering (3 weeks)	50	50	50	-	110	80	75
Flowering - fruit set (4 weeks)	90	45	138	-	300	75	125
Fruit set - 1st harvest (4 weeks)	80	40	160	-	350	65	80
Harvest - end (3 weeks)	60	30	120	-	260	50	60

* Poly-Feed formula - 20-20-20
AN - Ammonium Nitrate (34% nitrogen)
MAP - Mono Ammonium Nitrate (12% nitrogen and 61% P2O5)
Multi-K- Potassium nitrate 13-0-46

Growing method: greenhouse, planted on sandy soil.
Plant density: 20,000-24,000 / Ha.
Expected yield: 120-150 Ton/Ha, depending on variety.

Macronutrients uptake (Kg/Ha)
N	P₂O₅	K₂O
250-350	270-280	500-700

Nutrition recommendation

Base dressing

P₂O₅	SSP	K₂O	KCl
Kg/Ha		Kg/Ha
80-100	400-500	80-100	150-170

Top-dressing: by fertigation depending on growth stage

Growth stage (Total 90-110 days)	Nutrition requirement (Kg/Ha/day)			Recommended fertilizer (Kg/Ha/day)
Growth stage (Total 90-110 days)	N	P₂O₅	K₂O	Poly-Feed*	Multi-K	Haifa MAP	AN
1^st two weeks from transplanting	1	1	1	5.5
1^st two weeks - flowering	1.5	2.9	1.8		4	5	1.5
flowering - fruitset 1^st stage	2.4	2.3	3.8		10	3.8	1.75
fruit-set 1^st stage - fruit-set 3^rd stage	4	2	6.4		14	3.5	5
fruit-set 3^rd stage last - flowering stag	7	1.85	11		24	3	10.5
last flowering stag - end	4	1.85	6		20	3	6

* Poly-Feed = 19-19-19
Multi-K = Potassium nitrate (13-0-46)
Haifa MAP* = Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0)
AN = Ammonium nitrate (34-0-0)
Maximal tolerable Ec in soil solution = 3.0 mMho

Fertilization of tomato in the UK

Growing method: Open field.
Plant density: 11,000-12,500 / Ha.
Expected yield: 100Ton/Ha.

Macronutrients uptake (Kg/Ha)
N	P₂O₅	K₂O
250-350	180-200	500-700

Nutrition recommendation

Base dressing

P₂O₅	K₂O	SSP	KCl
Kg/Ha		Kg/Ha
90-100	150-210	470-520	90-130

Side-dressing

Growth stage

Nutrition requirement (Kg/Ha)			Recommended fertilizers (Kg/Ha)
N	P₂O₅	K₂O	Multi-K	Haifa MAP	AN
Planting - flowering	100	50	150	330	80	140
Flowering - fruit-set	125	75	175	380	120	180
Fruit-set - 1^st floor	125	75	175	380	120	180
Harvesting - end	100	50	150	330	80	140
Total	350	250	650	1420	400	640

Multi-K = Potassium nitrate (13-0-46)
Haifa MAP* = Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0)
AN = Ammonium nitrate (34-0-0)
SSP = Single Superphosphate (19% P₂O₅)

Fertilization of fresh tomatoes

Variety: 675.
Soil type: Sandy.
Plant density: 12,000 plants / Ha.
Expected yield: 127 T/Ha.
Growth period (days from seeding/planting to harvest): Selective.

Fertigation

Time interval (days after emergence or planting)	Nutrients requirement (Kg/Ha/Day)
Time interval (days after emergence or planting)	N	P₂O₅	K₂O
Total (Kg/Ha)	250.00	54.97	445.70
1-10	0.30	0.02	0.48
11-20	0.30	0.05	0.60
21-30	0.30	0.07	0.60
31-40	0.40	0.07	0.60
41-50	0.40	0.07	0.66
51-60	0.45	0.09	0.66
61-70	0.50	0.09	0.72
71-80	1.70	0.41	2.65
81-90	2.80	0.50	5.78
91-100	1.30	0.23	3.49
101-110	2.70	0.69	6.87
111-120	4.60	1.37	9.40
121-130	3.90	1.03	8.43
131-150	2.70	0.39	2.41
151-180	-	-	-
181-220	-	-	-

Source: B. Bar-Yosef. Fertilization under drip irrigation.

Fertilization of greenhouse tomatoes

Variety: F-144 (Daniela).
Soil type: Sandy.
Plant density: 23,000 plants / Ha.
Expected yield: 195 T/Ha.
Growth period (days from seeding/planting to harvest): Selective.

Fertigation

Time interval (days after emergence or planting)	Nutrients requirement (Kg/Ha/Day)
Time interval (days after emergence or planting)	N	P₂O₅	K₂O
Total (Kg/Ha)	450	148.87	855.27
1-10	1.00	0.23	2.41
11-20	1.00	0.23	4.82
21-30	1.00	0.23	4.22
31-40	2.00	0.46	4.22
41-50	2.50	0.92	6.63
51-60	2.50	1.37	6.63
61-70	2.50	0.69	7.23
71-80	2.50	0.69	4.82
81-90	1.50	0.69	7.23
91-100	1.50	0.23	0.12
101-110	1.00	0.23	0.12
111-120	1.00	0.23	1.20
121-130	1.50	0.46	1.20
131-150	1.50	0.80	1.57
151-180	4.00	1.15	4.58
181-220	2.00	0.69	3.61

Source: B. Bar-Yosef. Fertilization under drip irrigation.

Approximate nitrogen requirement

		lbsN/acre/week		kgN /ha/week
Crop	Growth stage	low	high	low	high
Tomato	vegetative growth	5	10	5.6	11.2
	early flowering/fruit set	15	20	16.8	22.4
	fruit bulking	10	15	11.2	16.8
	first harvest	5	10	5.6	11.2

Source: Blaine Hansen, 1996. Fertilizing Row Crops With Drip Irrigation Nov/Dec. Irrigation Journal.

Fertigation recommendations for tropical conditions

e.g. Thailand

Suggested by Chatpracha Sonklien, Agronomist of Haifa Thailand.

Soil: Medium – Heavy

Crops	Growth stage	Suggested fertilizers (Kg/ha/day)			Nutrients uptake (kg/ha/day)
Crops	Growth stage	46-0-0	12-61-0	Multi-K	N	P₂O₅	K₂O
Tomatoes (Fresh)	I	3	2	5	2.3	1.2	2.30
	II	5		7.5	3.2		3.45
	III	2		28	4.5		12.88
Tomatoes (processing)	I	3	2	2	1.8	1.2	0.9
	II	3		5	2		2
	III	6.25		13.75	4.5		4.5

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.

How to use

Fertilizer	TANK A kg/1000 liters	TANK B Kg/1000 liters
Multi-K	82kg
Calcium Nitrate		75kg
Magnisal	25kg
Ammonium Nitrate	12.5kg
MAP	31.25kg

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

Growth conditions:
Soil type: Light Soil.
Target yield: 100 MT/ha.
Assumptions regarding water test: 70 ppm Calcium, 60 ppm of Magnesium.

Recommended average rate of nutrients for crop

N	P	K
-------------------kg/ha-------------------
200-220	80-90	300-330

A. Base Dressing

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

N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
---------------------------------------------------Kg / ton-----------------------------------------
2-4	0.3-1.0	3-5	2.6	0.4	0.55

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
Tomatoes	-------------------- % --------------------							------ 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.

Related articles:

Tomato Fertilizer

How to grow tomato & Growing Tomato

Plant Nutrition

Foliar Feeding

Fertilization programs for growing tomatoes

Our fertilization program regards different growing medium and conditions

Recommended average rates of nutrients for tomatoes

Base-Dressing

Fertigation

Nutrition recommendation

Top-dressing: by fertigation depending on growth stage

Fertilization of tomato in the UK

Nutrition recommendation

Side-dressing

Fertilization of fresh tomatoes

Fertigation

Fertilization of greenhouse tomatoes

Fertigation

Approximate nitrogen requirement

Fertigation recommendations for tropical conditions

Nutrition database for soilless tomatoes

Nutrition recommendations for soilless tomatoes

B. Nutrient solution parameters

Recommendations

How to use

Phase 2 Production approx 60-90 days

How to use

Nutrition recommendations for Greenhouse soil grown truss tomatoes

A. Base Dressing

B. Through irrigation system

Supplemental to above recommendations

Additional information:

Tomatoes - Nutrients values

Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product

Plant analysis guide

Plant part to sample

Plant tissue sampling procedures

In California

GET THE VERY LATEST FROM HAIFA

Fertilization programs for growing tomatoes

Our fertilization program regards different growing medium and conditions

Recommended average rates of nutrients for tomatoes

Base-Dressing

Fertigation

Nutrition recommendation

Top-dressing: by fertigation depending on growth stage

Fertilization of tomato in the UK

Nutrition recommendation

Side-dressing

Fertilization of fresh tomatoes

Fertigation

Fertilization of greenhouse tomatoes

Fertigation

Approximate nitrogen requirement

Fertigation recommendations for tropical conditions

Nutrition database for soilless tomatoes

Nutrition recommendations for soilless tomatoes

B. Nutrient solution parameters

Recommendations

How to use

Phase 2 Production approx 60-90 days

How to use

Nutrition recommendations for Greenhouse soil grown truss tomatoes

A. Base Dressing

B. Through irrigation system

Supplemental to above recommendations

Additional information:

Tomatoes - Nutrients values

Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product

Plant analysis guide

Plant part to sample

Plant tissue sampling procedures

In California

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