Abstract
A study of fertilization practices in intensively grown tomatoes, leading to a projection of developments in fertilizer usage is presented. Targets of optimal fertilization strategy were defined as follows: maximize fruit yield; maximize fruit quality; minimize environmental pollution with fertilizers; minimize corrosion of the fertilizer distribution system; minimize expenses on fertilizers. Information was gathered by literature searches and by personal interviews and visits to research institutes and growers.
Rechecking of some fertilization practices for greenhouse tomatoes grown in detached media is proposed. The review indicates that the following should be rechecked: ammonium/nitrate ratio in fertilizer formulations; use of urea in fertilizer solutions; levels of phosphates applied; levels of sulphate applied; simple iron salts vs. chelated iron application; osmotic potential (OP), expressed as electrical conductivity (EC), of the nutrient solution at various growth stages.
EC, pH and estimated prices of fertilizer solutions were calculated and presented in tables.
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Hagin, J., Segelman, G. & Shaviv, A. Strategy for development of fertilizer solutions for greenhouse tomatoes. Fertilizer Research 26, 53–60 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048743
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048743