Content
Nitrogen fertilizers for tomatoes are necessary for plants throughout the growing season. As soon as the seedlings took root and went to growth, you can start adding nitrogen-containing mixtures. It is from this element that the growth and development of the bushes, as well as the formation of ovaries, depend. This article contains the basic rules for fertilizing tomatoes with nitrogen, and will also talk about the importance of this procedure for seedlings at different stages of growth.
Use of nitrogen fertilizers
A variety of crops are fed with nitrogen fertilizers. They have a very good effect on the growth and fruiting of cucumbers and tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries, beets and various fruit trees. In addition, nitrogen has a very positive effect on flowers such as tulips and roses. They are often fertilized with lawns and seedlings. Legumes need nitrogen least of all.
All existing nitrogen fertilizers are usually divided into 3 types:
- Ammonia. They contain a lot of nitrogen. Not recommended for use in acidic soils. This includes ammonium sulfate and other substances containing ammonium.
- Amide. These substances contain nitrogen in the amide form. The most popular representative of this group is carbamide or urea.
- Nitrate. Contain nitrogen in nitrate form. Best of all manifest themselves in acidic sod-podzolic soils. Used to prepare the soil for planting. Sodium and calcium nitrate are considered the most effective fertilizers in this group.
When to use nitrogen fertilizers
The first feeding of tomatoes nitrogen is carried out a week after planting seedlings in open ground. This will help the bushes grow and begin to actively form a green mass. After that, during the period of ovary formation, a second application of nitrogen fertilizers is carried out. This will extend the time of ovary formation and, accordingly, increase the yield.
Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are needed not only for tomatoes planted in the open field, but also for those that grow in a greenhouse. It is important to remember that you cannot make complex fertilizers, which include phosphorus in the soil, not warmed up to a temperature of + 15 ° C. This substance is poorly absorbed by plants and may simply remain in the soil in excess quantities.
Since nitrogen fertilizers often contain other nutrients, you need to know how and when to use them. For example, tomato seedlings, in addition to nitrogen, simply need potassium. This substance is responsible for the formation of fruits. It is important to ensure that the composition of the fertilizer must include potassium, and in considerable quantities. It also has a direct effect on the immunity of tomatoes. Potassium helps seedlings cope with temperature changes at night and makes them more resistant to tomato diseases.
Also, magnesium, boron, manganese and copper may be present in a complex nitrogen-containing fertilizer. All of these and other minerals are great for growing plants and help them become strong and healthy. They can be applied directly to the soil or during watering.
Organic and mineral sources of nitrogen
Nitrogen is found in many fertilizers. Among the most popular and effective are the following:
- Nitroammofoska... This includes potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus in large quantities. These substances are the main source of strength for tomatoes. Most gardeners use this particular fertilizer, as it is considered one of the best.
- Superphosphate... This fertilizer is also one of the most widespread and effective fertilizers. It contains a large number of nutrients that have a positive effect on the growth of tomatoes. For example, superphosphate contains nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium. It does not increase the acidity of the soil.
- Ammonium nitrate... It includes just a huge amount of nitrogen, from 25 to 35%. It is the most affordable fertilizer for tomatoes today. However, it should be used in parallel with other substances such as urea. You also need to be careful about the dosage.
- Urea... Another name for this fertilizer is urea. This substance is 46% nitrogen. It is able to significantly increase the yield of vegetable crops. Suitable for all types of soil. Nitrogen in it is better absorbed by plants and is not washed out of the soil so quickly.
- Ammonium sulfate... Used for feeding tomatoes in the very first stages of growth. Contains a large amount of nitrogen (21%) and sulfur (24%). The substance dissolves easily in liquid. It is easily absorbed by plants.
- Calcium nitrate... It contains only 15% nitrogen. Compared to other nitrogen fertilizers, this is not very much. However, it does not significantly affect the composition of the soil. The fertilizer is suitable for non-chernozem soils, it can improve the composition of acidic soils. Has a very short shelf life, after which almost all useful properties are lost.
Many sources of nitrogen can also be found among organic materials. For example, this could include:
- humus;
- peat;
- manure;
- infusion of mullein;
- chicken droppings;
- ash;
- infusion of herbs.
To prepare the herbal infusion, you need to take a large container and place the cut green grass there. For this, nettle or dandelion are suitable. Then the greens are poured with water and covered with foil. In this form, the container should stand in the sun for a week. After that, the infusion must be filtered. The liquid is well stored in a cool, dark place.
Organic nitrogen fertilizers
What kind of organic substances contain nitrogen, we said above, and now we will consider how to apply them in practice. For example, you can mulch the soil with humus or compost. Thus, you can "kill 2 birds with one stone," and feed the tomatoes, and mulch the soil.
Throughout the vegetative period, you can water the bushes with mixtures of organic matter and minerals. For the first solution, the following components should be combined in one container:
- 20 liters of water;
- 1 liter mullein;
- 2 tablespoons of nitrophosphate.
With such a solution, it is necessary to water the plants in the amount of half a liter of liquid per 1 bush.
For the second mixture, we need:
- 20 liters of water;
- 1 liter of poultry droppings;
- 2 tablespoons of superphosphate;
- 2 teaspoons of potassium sulfate.
All components are mixed in a large container until smooth. Then, under each bush, pour in half a liter of this mixture.
However, remember that using organic matter alone will not meet the nitrogen requirement of tomatoes. The same chicken manure contains only 0.5-1% nitrogen, and compost made from household waste - about 1.5%. This amount is not enough for plant nutrition. In addition, organic matter has the ability to oxidize the soil. Therefore, experienced gardeners advise not to be limited only to organic matter, but to alternate it with mineral complexes.
How much to fertilize a tomato
Use nitrogen-containing substances carefully. First, in excess, they can negatively affect the formation of ovaries and fruits. And secondly, a large amount of such substances can change the level of soil acidity. Therefore, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied in parallel with other minerals. This is done as follows:
- The first feeding is necessary for tomatoes approximately 1-2 weeks after transplanting. At this time, complex nitrogen-containing solutions are introduced into the soil in the proportion of half a teaspoon per liter of water.
- After 10 days, water the tomatoes with a weak solution of manganese. This procedure is repeated every 10-14 days. Additionally, you can add a solution of bird droppings to the soil. To prepare a nutrient mixture, you must mix 1 liter of chicken and 15 liters of water in one container. In addition, wood ash is sprinkled on the soil around the bushes. It kills fungi and prevents tomatoes from getting sick.
- After 10 days, ammonium nitrate is added to the soil. It is diluted in liquid in the amount of 16–20 g of substance per 10 liters.
- To speed up the fruit ripening process, you need to mix potassium sulfate, urea and superphosphate in a proportion of 15/10/15 grams per ten-liter bucket of water.
- During the flowering period, you can fertilize the plants with a solution of azofoska.
- Further, feeding is carried out no more than 2 times a month. For this, organic matter can be used. Mullein and bird droppings are great. They are best used for watering as a solution.
Signs of improper feeding of tomatoes
It is possible to overdo it with the dosage of fertilizers not only when using mineral mixtures. Large amounts of organic matter can also negatively affect tomato seedlings. The state of the plant immediately shows that it is overfed. For example, a large amount of nitrogen will be visible on a large, spreading bush. Such a plant gives all its strength to the formation of stems and leaves, therefore, no energy remains on the ovary and fruits. And since we want to grow exactly good tomatoes, and not a beautiful bush, then nitrogen fertilizers should be used carefully.
Nitrogen is simply necessary for plants in the period until flowers appear. Then feeding the tomatoes with nitrogen should be stopped. In the future, plants will need nitrogen-containing mixtures only after the first fruits appear on the first brush.
Lack of nitrogen can be manifested by changes in the color of the leaves. They will turn light green or even yellowish. Then they can gradually curl, and the old leaves will begin to die off altogether. The surface of the sheet will become dull. It is necessary to correct the situation immediately after the first signs appear. Organic lovers can feed tomatoes with herbal infusion. And as a mineral fertilizer, you can use urea or ammonium nitrate.
Phosphorus is often present in nitrogen fertilizers. This substance helps tomatoes develop cold resistance. Lack of phosphorus immediately affects the appearance of the leaves. They turn purple. Remember that tomatoes do not grow well in oily soils.
Urea is a very useful fertilizer for tomatoes. Many gardeners use this substance with success. However, it should be remembered that urea can only be added as a solution. It is sprayed or watered with it. In no case should this feeding be applied in granular form directly into the hole.
Organic matter has always been considered safer and healthier for plants. But still, their number should not be excessive either. For example use mullein for feeding tomatoes can be done no more than 3 times per season.
Top dressing methods
There are 2 ways to apply nitrogen fertilizers:
- root;
- foliar.
The root method involves watering tomatoes with nutrient solutions.This method is very popular as it is very simple and effective. Most gardeners fertilize tomatoes in this way on their plots.
Foliar application of nutrients is by spraying leaves and stems with prepared solutions. This method is less popular, however, it is also very effective. The plant absorbs nutrients from the leaves much faster. When watering tomatoes at the root, only some of the minerals will be absorbed by the root system. In this case, the nutrients will be quickly washed away by the rains.
Too strong a solution can burn the leaves. In no case should substances containing chlorine be used for spraying. The best time for foliar feeding is morning or evening. In the scorching sun, even a weak solution can cause burns. Of course, it is necessary to carry out both root and foliar feeding. Experienced gardeners alternate them using the most suitable fertilizers.
Conclusion
As we have seen, nitrogen fertilization is extremely important for growing tomatoes. Nitrogen is responsible for the growth processes of the bush itself, as well as the formation of flowers and ovaries. Agree, without this, tomatoes simply cannot develop and bear fruit. The most important thing is to learn how to properly organize the feeding. It is important to consider the amount of substances introduced into the soil. Lack of minerals, like excess, can negatively affect the growth of bushes and the composition of the soil. Do not be afraid to use both organic and mineral fertilizers. All this combined will make your tomatoes strong and healthy. Watch your plants and you can see exactly what they need.
