How to Do Drip Irrigation Fertilization for Tomatoes? Latest Technical Method Tutorial
Tomato cultivation is basically distributed throughout all regions of China. When growing tomatoes, water and fertilizer management is very important; it is the key to meeting the tomato's nutrient and water needs during growth. Nowadays, integrated water and fertilizer management is advocated, so tomato irrigation is generally based mainly on drip irrigation. So how should tomatoes under drip irrigation be fertilized? Today, the editor brings you tomato drip irrigation fertilization technology. Let's take a look below!
1. Drip Irrigation Fertilization Equipment
Before drip irrigation fertilization, the first thing we need to prepare is the drip irrigation fertilization equipment. When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, about two drip irrigation pipes should be laid between each ridge. The drippers should face upward, and the distance between drippers should be kept at about 30cm. Then, at the front end of the drip irrigation pipe, install a differential-pressure fertilizer tank. Alternatively, a common Venturi injector can be used. After installation, also make sure to equip a mesh filter to avoid excessive impurities during fertilization, which would affect fertilizer efficiency.
2. Fertilization Method
When carrying out drip irrigation fertilization, we should follow the principle of small amounts and frequent applications. Generally, after transplanting, water thoroughly once to help the seedlings recover as quickly as possible. Then, when the tomato enters the seedling stage and flowering stage, do not irrigate; instead, drip irrigate about twice appropriately, and add an appropriate amount of fertilizer each time. Then, from the fruit swelling stage until the harvest stage, drip irrigate about once every week, adding about 5kg/mu of fertilizer. Finally, according to the specific growth condition of the tomatoes, apply fertilizer once with an irrigation interval. About half a month before vine pulling, stop the drip irrigation fertilization work.
3. Fertilizer Selection
When carrying out drip irrigation fertilization, the choice of fertilizer is very important. We should mainly use water-soluble drip irrigation fertilizer, ensuring that it will not react with other fertilizers to produce sediment, so as to avoid corroding the drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation fertilizer can be made by yourself, or special fertilizer can be purchased. If making it yourself, fertilizers such as urea, potassium nitrate and potassium chloride can be used for preparation. However, if conditions permit, it is best to use special fertilizer, because special fertilizer has high nutrient content and a sufficient and comprehensive ratio. It not only contains sufficient fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but also has many trace elements, making it very suitable for tomato growth.
4. Fertilization Operation
Before fertilizing, first dissolve the fertilizer in water, stir it fully and then let it sit for a period of time. Then filter it, and after filtering, pour it directly into the fertilization tank. Usually, add fertilizer after half an hour of drip irrigation water; if using differential-pressure fertilization, then the time is about 50 minutes. Avoid insufficient fertilizer or uneven drip irrigation. Then after each fertilization, continue drip irrigating for about half an hour to flush the drip irrigation pipes. After completing one season of planting, open the filter to discharge sewage and clean the filter screen; at the same time, after about 4 fertilizations, clean the drip irrigation pipes in time.
The above is a brief introduction to tomato drip irrigation fertilization technology. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!