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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Funding provided by:

Guidelines and Webpage Design:

Daniel Geisseler, Ph.D.; UCCE Specialist in Nutrient Management; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis

Reviewers:

Timothy K. Hartz, Ph.D.; Extension Specialist/Agronomist; Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis

Gene Miyao; Farm Advisor; University of California Cooperative Extension Yolo, Solano & Sacramento Counties

William R. Horwath, Ph.D.; Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry and James G. Boswell Endowed Chair in Soil Science; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis

Support:

Asif Maan, Ph.D.; Branch Chief Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Amrith Gunasekara, Ph.D.; Science Advisor to the Secretary; California Department of Food and Agriculture

Erika Lewis; Fertilizer Reserach and Education Program, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Last Update: December, 2020

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Additional Information:

Tomato Nitrogen Uptake and Partitioning

Tomato Production in California

FREP Database

Links:

UCCE Vegetable Research & Information Center

UC Vegetable Crops Nutrient Management

UC Integrated Pest Management online

California Tomato Research Institute

California Tomato Growers Association (CTGA)

Processing Tomato Advisory Board

World Processing Tomato Council

Tomato Wellness

California Fertilization Guidelines

Processing Tomatoes

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Preplant

Sowing /
Transplanting

Vegetative
Growth

Bloom

Early
Fruit Set

First Red
Fruits

Nitrogen (N)

Soil Test

Leaf Analysis

Preplant N

Starter N

Soil Applied N

Soil Applied N

Application Rate

Mode of Application

Fertilizer Type

Time of Application

Foliar N

X

Phosphorus (P₂O₅)

Tomato Phosphorus Nutrition

Deficiency Symptoms

Excessive Phosphorus

Soil Test

Soil Analysis

Soil Sampling

Soil Test Based Application Rate

Leaf Analysis

Preplant P

Preplant P

Application Rate

Mode of Application

Fertilizer Type

Time of Application

Starter P

Starter Phosphorus

In a study with field-grown fresh market tomatoes, Grubinger and coworkers found that a starter fertilizer application of 8.4 lbs/acre (19.5 lbs P₂O₅/acre) had a positive effect on leaf P concentrations and total yield on a soil testing low in P that did not receive any pre-plant P ^[P5]. However, no benefits from starter fertilizer were obtained on a soil with high residual P that was moderately fertilized with P before transplanting or on a soil with low residual P that was heavily fertilized with P. Therefore, in fields with high soil P test levels (see Soil Test), starter P may not increase yield.

For transplant production in the greenhouse it is a common practice to withhold P fertilization to control transplant height and growth rate. When delivered, transplants may be P-deficient. Even if they are to be transplanted into a field with high soil test P, a pre-transplanting drench or at-transplanting ‘starter’ P application is prudent ^[P9].

Application Rate

Mode of Application

Fertilizer Type

Soil Applied P

Foliar P

X

Potassium (K₂O)

Tomato Potassium Nutrition

Deficiency Symptoms

Excessive Potassium

Soil Test

Soil Analysis

Soil Sampling

Factors Affecting Optimal K level

Interpretation of Test Results

Leaf Analysis

Preplant K

Preplant / Starter K

Application Rate

The optimal application rate depends on soil test values. The adequate soil K level in turn depends on the use of the tomatoes as well as on the irrigation system. Potassium availability affects tomato yield as well as fruit quality. When the soil test suggests insufficient K availability, the amount of K applied should ideally replace the K removed from the field with the harvested tomatoes, as lower application rates reduce the long-term soil K supply. Between 180 and 270 lbs K/acre (220-330 lbs K₂O/acre) are removed with the harvested fruits with a yield of 45 tons/acre and a K concentration in tomatoes ranging from 4 to 6 lbs/ton ^[K7]. However, economic returns on the current crop may be highest with some 100 lbs K₂O/acre, as the yield increase becomes smaller with each additional pound of K applied ^[K7]. Zhang and coworkers^[K24] reported that the marketable yield of processing tomatoes under drip irrigation with a yield level of more than 50 tons/acre did not increase when the K application rate exceeded 175 lbs/acre (210 lbs K₂O/acre). Contact your local farm advisor for more information.

With very low K test values, the fertilization rate may be increased. To increase very low exchangeable K levels by 50 ppm in the top foot, about 180 lbs K/acre (220 lbs K₂O/acre) are required, assuming that none of the applied K becomes fixed or is leached. For crops grown on soils that fix K, larger application rates may be necessary (see Potassium Fixation in the San Joaquin Valley).

In K fixing soils, optimizing timing and mode of application may have a more pronounced effect on yield and quality than increasing the application rate .

Mode of Application

Fertilizer Type

Time of Application

Starter K

Soil Applied K

Soil Applied Potassium

Application Rate

Mode of Application

Fertilizer Type

Time of Application

Foliar K

X

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References:

Nitrogen

de C. Carmello, Q.A., Anti G.R., 2006. Accumulation of nutrients and growth of processing tomato. Acta Horticulturae 724, 85-90.Elia, A., Conversa, G., 2012. Agronomic and physiological responses of a tomato crop to nitrogen input. European Journal of Agronomy 40, 64-74.
Elia, A., Conversa, G., 2012. Agronomic and physiological responses of a tomato crop to nitrogen input. European Journal of Agronomy 40, 64-74.
Geisseler D., Aegerter, B.J., Miyao, E.M., Turini, T., Cahn M.D., 2020. Nitrogen in soil and subsurface drip-irrigated processing tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as affected by fertilization level. Scientia Horticulturae 261, 108999.
Hammami, M., Daghari, H., 2007. Tomato root’s distribution and water uptake: contribution for trickle irrigation management. Acta Horticulturae 758, 227-234.
Hartz, T.K, Bottoms, T.G., 2009. Nitrogen requirements of drip-irrigated processing tomatoes. HortScience 44, 1988–1993.
Hartz, T.K., Hanson, B., 2009. Drip irrigation and fertigation management of processing tomato . University of California Vegetable Research and Information Center.
Hartz, T.K., Miyao, E.M, Valencia, J.G., 1998. DRIS evaluation of the nutritional status of processing tomato. HortScience 33, 830-832.
Hartz, T.K., Giannini, C., Miyao, E.M., Valencia, J.G., 2002. Divergent transplant production practices produce comparable growth, yield, and quality of processing tomatoes. HortScience 37, 296-299.
Jones Jr., J.B., 2008. Tomato Plant Culture in the Field, Greenhouse and Home Garden. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
Krueskopf, H.H., Mitchell, J.P., Hartz, T.K., May, D.M., Miyao, E.M., Cahn, M.D., 2002. Presidedress soil nitrate testing identifies processing tomato fields not requiring sidedress N fertilizer. HortScience 37, 520-524.
Lorenz, O.A., Tyler, K.B., 1976. Plant tissue analysis of vegetable crops. In: Reisenauer, H.M. (Ed.). Soil and Plant-Tissue Testing in California. University of California, Division of Agricultural Sciences, Bulletin 1879. pp. 24-29.
Machado, R.M.A., Oliveira, M.R.G., 2005. Tomato root distribution, yield and fruit quality under different subsurface drip irrigation regimes and depths. Irrigation Science 24, 15–24.
May, D., Mitchell, J., 2001. Soil testing to optimize nitrogen management for processing tomatoes. FREP Final Report.
Maynard, D.N., Hochmuth, G.J., 2007. Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.
Miyao, G., 2002. Fertilizer guidelines for processing tomatoes. Vegetable Crop Facts Merced and Madera County.
Tan, X.W., Ikeda, H., Oda, M., 1999. Absorption, translocation, and assimilation of foliar-applied urea compared with nitrate and ammonium in tomato plants. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 45, 609-616.
Wittwer, S.H., Bukavac, M.J., Tuckey, H.B., 1963. Advances in foliar feeding of plant nutrients. In: McVickar, M.H., Bridger, G.L., Nelson, L.B. (Eds.). Fertilizer Technology and Usage. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. pp. 429-455.
Wilcox, G.E., 1993. Tomato. In: Bennett, W.F. (Ed.). Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Crop Plants. APS Press, St. Paul, MN. pp. 137-141.

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Phosphorus

Bergmann, W., 1992. Nutritional Disorders of Plants: Development, Visual and Analytical Diagnosis. Gustav Fischer Verlag, New York.
Blatt, C.R., McRae, K.B., 1986. Effect of irrigation and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium rate and placement on tomato fruit yield and size. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 66, 653-660.
Chrsitou, M., Dumas, Y., Dimirkou, A., Vassiliou, Z., 1999. Nutrient uptake by processing tomato in Greece. Acta Horticulturae 487, 219-223.
de C. Carmello, Q.A., Anti G.R., 2006. Accumulation of nutrients and growth of processing tomato. Acta Horticulturae 724, 85-90.
Grubinger, V.P., Minotti, P.L., Wien, H.C., Turneti A.D., 1993. Tomato response to starter fertilizer, polyethylene mulch, and level of soil phosphorus. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 118, 212-216.
Hammami, M., Daghari, H., 2007. Tomato root’s distribution and water uptake: contribution for trickle irrigation management. Acta Horticulturae 758, 227-234.
Hartz, T., 2008. Efficient fertigation management for drip-irrigated processing tomatoes. UCCE Vegetable Notes Fresno, Tulare and Kings Counties 4, 2-3.
Hartz, T.K, Bottoms, T.G., 2009. Nitrogen requirements of drip-irrigated processing tomatoes. HortScience 44, 1988–1993.
Hartz, T.K., Hanson, B., 2009. Drip irrigation and fertigation management of processing tomato . University of California Vegetable Research and Information Center.
Hartz, T.K., Miyao, E.M, Valencia, J.G., 1998. DRIS evaluation of the nutritional status of processing tomato. HortScience 33, 830-832.
Hartz, T.K., Giannini, C., Miyao, E.M., Valencia, J.G., 2002. Divergent transplant production practices produce comparable growth, yield, and quality of processing tomatoes. HortScience 37, 296-299.
Hartz, T.K., Miyao, G., Mickler, J., LeStrange, M., Stoddard, S., Nunez, J., Aegerter B., 2008. Processing tomato production in California. University of California Publication 7228.
Hipp, B.W., 1970. Phosphorus requirements for tomatoes as influenced by placement. Agronomy Journal 62, 203-206.
Jones Jr., J.B., 1998. Phosphorus toxicity in tomato plants: when and how does it occur? Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 29, 1779-1784.
Jones Jr., J.B., 2008. Tomato Plant Culture in the Field, Greenhouse and Home Garden. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
Lorenz, O.A., Tyler, K.B., 1976. Plant tissue analysis of vegetable crops. In: Reisenauer, H.M. (Ed.). Soil and Plant-Tissue Testing in California. University of California, Division of Agricultural Sciences, Bulletin 1879. pp. 24-29.
Machado, R.M.A., Oliveira, M.R.G., 2005. Tomato root distribution, yield and fruit quality under different subsurface drip irrigation regimes and depths. Irrigation Science 24, 15–24.
Maynard, D.N., Hochmuth, G.J., 2007. Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.
Miyao, G., 2002. Fertilizer guidelines for processing tomatoes. Vegetable Crop Facts Merced and Madera County .
Mortley, D.G., Smith, C.B., Demchak, K.T., 1991. Fertilizer placement affects growth, fruit yield, and elemental concentrations and contents of tomato plants. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 116, 659-662.
UC IPM (University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program), 2011. Fertilization. In: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (Ed.). Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato. Publication 3470. pp. 5-7.
Wilcox, G.E., 1993. Tomato. In: Bennett, W.F. (Ed.). Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Crop Plants. APS Press, St. Paul, MN. pp. 137-141.

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Potassium

California Plant Health Association, 2002. Western Fertilizer Handbook 9th edition. Interstate Publishers, Inc.
Csizinszky, A., 1999. Yield response of polyethylene mulched tomato to potassium source and rate on sand, Journal of Plant Nutrition 22, 669-678.
Hammami, M., Daghari, H., 2007. Tomato root’s distribution and water uptake: contribution for trickle irrigation management. Acta Horticulturae 758, 227-234.
Hartz, T., 2002. Potassium requirements for processing tomatoes. Vegetable Crop Facts Merced and Madera County .
Hartz, T., 2008. Efficient fertigation management for drip-irrigated processing tomatoes. UCCE Vegetable Notes Fresno, Tulare and Kings Counties 4, 2-3.
Hartz, T.K, Bottoms, T.G., 2009. Nitrogen requirements of drip-irrigated processing tomatoes. HortScience 44, 1988–1993.
Hartz, T.K., Hanson, B., 2009. Drip irrigation and fertigation management of processing tomato . University of California Vegetable Research and Information Center.
Hartz, T., Miyao, E.M., 2005. Potassium fertility management for optimum tomato yield and fruit color. FREP Final Report.
Hartz, T.K., Miyao, E.M, Valencia, J.G., 1998. DRIS evaluation of the nutritional status of processing tomato. HortScience 33, 830-832.
Hartz, T.K., Miyao, E.M., Mullen, R.J., Cahn, M.D., Valencia, J., Brittan, K.L., 1999. Potassium requirements for maximum yield and fruit quality of processing tomato. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 124, 199–204.
Hartz, T.K., Miyao, E.M., Mullen, R.J., Cahn, M.D., 2001. Potassium fertilization effects on processing tomato yield and fruit quality. Acta Horticulturae 542, 127-133.
Hartz, T.K., Johnstone, P.R., Francis, D.M., Miyao, E.M., 2005. Processing tomato yield and fruit quality improved with potassium fertigation. HortScience 40, 1862-1867.
Jackson, L.E., Bloom, A.J., 1990. Root distribution in relation to soil nitrogen availability in field-grown tomatoes. Plant and Soil 128, 115-126.
Johnson Hake, S., Hake K.D., Kerby T.A., 1996. Prebloom decisions. In: Hake, S.J., Kerby T.A., Hake, K.D. (Eds.). Cotton Production Manual. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3352. pp. 29-50.
Jones Jr., J.B., 2008. Tomato Plant Culture in the Field, Greenhouse and Home Garden. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
K+S KALI GmbH. Chloride tolerance of various crops.
Lorenz, O.A., Tyler, K.B., 1976. Plant tissue analysis of vegetable crops. In: Reisenauer, H.M. (Ed.). Soil and Plant-Tissue Testing in California. University of California, Division of Agricultural Sciences, Bulletin 1879. pp. 24-29.
Maas, E.V., 1990. Crop salt tolerance. In: Tanji, K.K. (Ed.). Agricultural Salinity Assessment and Management Manual. ASCE, New York. pp. 262-304.
Machado, R.M.A., Oliveira, M.R.G., 2005. Tomato root distribution, yield and fruit quality under different subsurface drip irrigation regimes and depths. Irrigation Science 24, 15–24.
Maynard, D.N., Hochmuth, G.J., 2007. Knott’s Handbook for Vegetable Growers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.
Tanji, K.K., Kielen, N.C., 2002. Agricultural Drainage Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 61. FAO, Rome.
UC IPM (University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program), 2011. Fertilization. In: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (Ed.). Pest Management Guidelines: Tomato. Publication 3470. pp. 5-7.
Wilcox, G.E., 1993. Tomato. In: Bennett, W.F. (Ed.). Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities in Crop Plants. APS Press, St. Paul, MN. pp. 137-141.
Zhang, T.Q., Tan C.S., Liu K., 2009. Phosphorus and potassium application to processing tomatoes grown with drip irrigation. Acta Horticulturae 823, 97-102.

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