What nutrients do tomato plants need?

On a daily basis I talk to a number of farmers and many just don't get it right. What do you need to be able to get such a yield from your tomato plant?

You need the right fertilizers applied in the right way, right quantities, and right time.

We have both micro and macro-nutrients:

Micro-nutrients are those nutrients which the plant requires in small quantities but are equally very important for good yields. Examples include boron, zinc, sulphur, magnesium, manganese, and calcium etc.
Macro-nutrients are those nutrients which the plant requires in large quantities for them to grow strong, healthy and give you better yields. The examples include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). This is commonly abbreviated as NPK.

Let’s roll..!

At the earlier stages of plant development, the plant requires a phosphorus rich fertilizer such as DAP (Di Ammonium Phosphate) or Yaramila Power.

Three weeks from planting, the plant should be starting to flower and it’s actively growing vegetatively, putting on so many branches and here it requires more nitrogen to support the growth requirements. CAN (calcium ammonium nitrate) is the best at this stage. The calcium will help you to prevent blossom end rot that will render your tomatoes unmarketable. The nitrate in the CAN will support in vegetative growth so you have many branches hence more flowers and fruits per plant.

In the 5 - 6^th week, your plants should be having a lot of fruits and more flowers. During this stage you need to support fruit formation as much as possible. Your plant needs more potassium fertilizer. You could use a foliar rich in potassium (K). You can as well top-dress it with Yaramila winner or NPK 17:17:17.

The key issue is knowing the needs of your plants at different stages.

Don’t just farm like our late grandparents did. Let’s go modern, let’s use the available technologies to improve our farming experience!

The above are just the macro-nutrients, we have more micro-nutrients that are equally important, and we will talk about them later.

- Ochakolong Esukaya

Comments

Growing Cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia

Growing cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia requires careful consideration of the climate and soil conditions, as well as proper planting and care techniques. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to successfully grow cabbage in these regions. From the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements to pest and disease management, as well as harvesting and storage techniques, you will find all the information you need to cultivate healthy and abundant cabbage crops. Read on to discover the key takeaways from each section. Key Takeaways Understanding the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements is crucial for successful cabbage cultivation. Proper watering and irrigation techniques are essential for maintaining healthy cabbage plants. Choosing the right cabbage varieties for the specific region can significantly impact crop yield. Careful soil preparation, seed sowing, and transplanting techniques are important for successful cabbage planting. Effective pest and disease management ...

Staking and Pruning Tomatoes in the Home Garden

Staking and pruning tomatoes are essential practices for maintaining healthy tomato plants in the home garden. By selecting the right tomato varieties, preparing the garden properly, and employing the correct staking and pruning techniques, gardeners can ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. This article will provide key insights into staking and pruning tomatoes to help you achieve successful growth in your garden. Key Takeaways Select disease-resistant tomato varieties to prevent common plant diseases. Amend the soil with organic matter for optimal tomato growth and fruit production. Properly stake tomato plants to support their growth and prevent damage from heavy fruit loads. Regularly prune tomato plants to remove suckers and maintain airflow, which can improve fruit quality. Avoid over-pruning tomato plants as it can reduce yield and stress the plants. Selecting the Right Tomato Varieties Determining Your Growing Conditions ...

How to Grow Green Leafy Rape

Rape (Brassica napus) is the most widely eaten vegetable in Zambia. Rape (Brassica napus) is a versatile leafy vegetable that can be used in a variety of recipes. The most common way it is prepared is by slicing it thinly then cooking them in oil with some tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Rape and kale are then enjoyed as a side dish with the staple pap and meat. What makes this a must-have vegetable in your garden or farm is that it can be grown all year round (though it is better suited to the cool season), and it is a steady, high-yielding vegetable that can guarantee you a constant supply of income. It is also suitable for urban farmers because it requires limited space. If you are ready to grow these luscious green leafy vegetables then follow the guide below. Climatic and soil requirements It is typically planted in early February but April is considered the best time to plant it. It does best at temperatures of about 15 to 20°C during the day and night temperatures of 10°C...

Zambia Agribusiness Society

Search This Blog