(Rates Based on 100 plants)
Tomatoes can be one of the most profitable crops for many growers, but is also one of the more challenging. Abiotic disorders such as BER (Blossom End Rot), cracking and yellow shoulder often greatly reduce the harvest of #1 fruit, and in most all instances reduce susceptibility for disease. The first line of defense from disease is a healthy plant. It should be noted that this program is presented as a guideline only based upon research and the experiences with numerous growers. With the wide variances possible from both soil types and environmental conditions present during any particular season, your actual recommendation can vary from what is presented. It is always advisable to discuss actual management practices with your local ISP specialist.
Dry or Bulk Fertilizer: Apply approximately 50% of your expected N and K requirements, and 75-80% of your P as granular materials prior to planting. Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable growers estimate an average yield (15 lb./plant) of fresh market tomatoes will remove 80-90 units of nitrogen, 150 units of P2O5, and 200 units of K2O per acre. This is a good starting point for the application of a preplant nutrient blend (with the possible exception of the N requirements, as excessive N can result in a leggy plant with poor fruit set). As an example, apply 100 units P2O5, and 150 units K2O per acre and incorporate into targeted planting beds (or per 100 feet of row: 1 unit P + 1.5 units K preplant). Plant population and yield goal are critical aspects of fertility recommendations, and if targeting high yields, or planting closer or further apart than 18 inches in the row, then adjustments to nutrient applications should be made according to the available nutrient in your soil and expected nutrient requirements based upon your yield goal. Sulfur is quite important, and a good K source is potassium sulfate. It is often beneficial to incorporate some magnesium (usually magnesium sulfate) into your dry application, as magnesium deficiencies are common in many parts of the northeast United States.
Preplant Soil Application: If growing in soil, apply .36 fluid ounces of PhytoGro Xtra + 3 fluid ounces of MetaboliK SB + 1 tablespoon TifiMax per 10 gallons of total solution. Water all transplants in thoroughly with this mix. Targeting a cup per plant, it should require about 6.25 gallons of transplant solution for 100 plants. If using a water wheel or mechanical planter, adjust water volume accordingly. Following transplanting a light watering is advised to further settle the soil around the root ball. Let the plants rest for several days. Do not let nighttime temperatures fall below 65F, and 70F is advisable.
NOTE, First 30 Days: Our objective is to build an aggressive frame in order to increase potential number of fruiting sites and forms at early fruiting. (If it is thought that one needs to push the frame, or if there are flower buds on the plant when transplanting, it can be beneficial to apply 28-16-7.). If plant frame shows excessive vegetative growth, apply 0-36-30.
The more aggressive growers are always observing all aspects of plant development, vegetative development, numbers of fruit set, fruit color, and of course any outbreak of pests or disease. Although this provides a wealth of information, we do recommend that tissue tests be taken to monitor actual nutrient uptake and potential deficiencies. The first tissue sample should be taken four weeks after transplanting, then every two weeks until the last fruits are setting. Although we prefer high numbers, use the following as minimum targets: N – 3.5-4%; P-.8-1%; K – 3-4%; Ca-3%;Mg – .8-1%; S – 1.2%; B – 50ppm; Zn – 50ppm; Mn – 100ppm; Fe 100-300ppm; and Cu – 20ppm. Although it’s usually a separate test, silicon should be at 3,500ppm. Weather and time of day that samples are collected will have an impact upon your lab results. If sunny and in the morning when you collect your first sample, then take all subsequent samples in the morning on sunny days.
Water Quality and Insecticides/Fungicides: Water quality is essential for optimum chemical performance, nad has a significant impact upon overall plant performance. It will be beneficial to pretreat irrigation water prior to application through the drip lines to a pH of 6.2-6.5. In most instances, improvement of water quality will result in better nutrient performance. In addition, we recommend running dual drip lines, with a line on either side of the plant. Place them about 5” to 6” away from the plant stem. This keeps the area immediately around the stem from becoming too wet. Many of our growers have been able to significantly reduce the amounts of pesticides that they have to use, as our tomatoes are simply healthier plants. SiPhite and BioTerra Green are especially effective for maintaining plant health. If weather conditions or field history indicates a strong tendency for disease, then chemical controls should be used.
| Week | ISP Soluble Plant Foods and Plant Protection* | Other Management Notes |
| 1 | 7.5 ounces | Observe frame development, ideally node spacing is compact. Through drip, apply .5 fluid ounce SiPhite |
| 2 | 7.5 ounces 10-20-20 & 7.5 ounces 4-18-38, 1 fluid ounce MetaCal | Observe frame development and older leaves still viable. If suckering, remove initial suckers |
| 3 | 12 ounces 10-20-20 & 2 pounds 4-18-38 | Observer frame development, first fruiting trusses may be visiable. 1 ounce SiGuard L through drip lines. |
| 4 | 12 ounces 10-20-20, 2.5 pounds 4-18-38 & 1 fluid ounce BioTerra Green (foliar or drip) | First fruiting trusses should be visible. First tissue advised, adjust nutrients accordingly. .5 fluid ounce SiPhite through drip or foliar. |
| 5 | 12 ounces 10-20-20 (or 9-14-24) & 2 pounds 4-18-38 | Begin adding 2tsp. SiMan 911, and 2-3 fluid ounces CalStore or MetaCal per week. |
| 6 | 12 ounces 10-20-20 (or 9-14-24) & 2 pounds 4-18-38 | Include 2 tsp. MetaboliK HV-01 every 10-14 days (foliar) with your disease management program. Time for second Tissue Test. |
| 7 | 12 ounces 10-20-20 (or 9-14-24) & 2 pounds 4-18-38 | Continue SiMan 911 and MetaCal/CalStore |
| 8 | 12 ounces 10-20-20 (or 9-14-24), 2.5 pounds 4-18-38, 1 fluid ounce BioTerra Green | Continue SiMan 911 and MetaCal/CalStore until end of season. Third tissue test, especially if you are showing any older leaf discoloration. Observe the number of buds in the newest fruiting trusses. It should still be close to the very early fruiting trusses. 1 fluid ounce SiPhite (either foliar or through drip). |
| 9 | 3-4 pounds 4-18-38 | 1 fluid ounce SiGuard L (either foliar or drip). |
| 10 & 11 | 3-5 pounds 4-18-38 & 1 fluid ounce SiPhite | Fourth tissue test, especially if wanting to harvest until frost. Adjust nutrient based upon tissue sample. |
| 12-end | 3-5 pounds 4-18-38 (Continue to repeat weekly until either frsot, or there is a significant decrease in the number of fruiting forms.) |
NOTE: When applying either SiPhite or SiGuard L, it is recommended that these be applied separately and NOT mixed with the soluble plant foods. There is the potential of pHH. Reactions taking place in some waters, so it is easier to not mix them. We recommend watering daily, so when planning your schedule, you can schedule one day for SiPhiote or SiGuard, one day for just water, and then divide the plant foods into the remaining days. It can also be beneficial to apply 2 fluid ounces PhytoGro Xtra once per month through the drip lines. Another option would be to foliar apply SiGuard L, as this also aids in plant protection from aphids, mites, thrips, etc. If these pests are an issue, dreggo plant oils can be an effective retardant/repellent.