The best effective fertilizers for tomatoe farming in Kenya

Tomato farming is the most common type of farming in Kenya due to the high demand for the crop in the country. Tomato production requires the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers to ensure high-quality yields. Inorganic fertilizers are known to be fast-acting but can have potential risks of excessive runoff if used improperly.

Organic fertilizers offer a number of benefits compared to inorganic fertilizers. For example, organic fertilizers improve the diversity of soil microorganisms and earthworms which can support better root development, improving the health of the tomato plants. This can help the plants resist disease and pests naturally, which is important for tomato farming in Kenya where pests can be a major issue.

Organic fertilizers are derived from natural products such as manure and compost, which help replenish the soil with essential nutrients and minerals. These can help promote soil fertility by improving its texture and increasing the level of organic matter. This helps the tomatoes to be strong, resistant to disease, and better able to absorb water and nutrients needed for growth.

Here is the list of fertilizers best for tomato farming in Kenya;

INORGANIC FERTILIZERS
1. Urea
2. Potassium Sulfate
3. Ammonium Nitrate
4. Calcium Nitrate

ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
1. Composted manure
2. Crop residues
3. Seaweed extract
4. Bone meals

UREA

The most popular inorganic fertilizer used in Kenya is urea. Urea is a common type of nitrogen-rich fertilizer that is easy to apply and can quickly provide the necessary nutrients for healthy tomato plants. Urea is often applied to the soil at the start of the growing season, before the first planting. However, it is important to apply urea correctly in order to avoid hurting the tomato crop, as it can burn the roots if misapplied.

How to use urea efficiently to boost tomato production

Determine the nutrient needs of your tomato plants: Tomato plants have specific nutrient needs, and it’s important to understand these needs in order to use urea effectively. In general, tomato plants require a balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) for optimal growth.

Determine the urea content: Urea is a source of nitrogen, and the amount of nitrogen it contains is typically stated as a percentage on the package. For example, a bag of urea labeled as 46-0-0 contains 46% nitrogen.

Calculate the amount of urea needed: To determine how much urea you need, you’ll need to calculate the nitrogen requirement for your tomato plants. You can do this by multiplying the nitrogen requirement by the size of your garden bed or field. For example, if your tomato plants require 500g of nitrogen per 100 square feet and your bed is 200 square feet, you’ll need 1kg of nitrogen.

Mix the urea with water: Urea should be mixed with water before it is applied to the soil. To do this, mix the required amount of urea with an equal amount of water. For example, if you need 1g of urea, mix it with 1L of water.

Apply the urea solution to the soil: Once you have mixed the urea with water, apply the solution to the soil around the base of the tomato plants. Be sure to follow the label instructions for the specific product you are using, as different products may have different application rates.

Water the plants: After applying the urea solution, be sure to water the plants to help the urea dissolve and be absorbed by the roots.

POTASSIUM SULFATE

Potassium sulfate is another type of inorganic fertilizer that is commonly used for tomato farming in Kenya. Potassium sulfate helps to increase crop yield and nutrient content in the soil, as it helps the plant to absorb and utilize other types of nutrients more effectively. It also helps to reduce disease risk in the tomato crop by promoting a better root system. The disadvantage of potassium sulfate is that it is more expensive than other types of inorganic fertilizers and may not be suitable for smaller-scale tomato farming operations.

How to apply potassium sulfate efficiently to boost tomato production

• Determine the nutrient needs of your tomato plants.
• Determine the potassium sulfate content: Potassium sulfate is a source of potassium, and the amount of potassium it contains is typically stated as a percentage on the package. For example, a bag of potassium sulfate labeled as 0-0-50 contains 50% potassium.
• Calculate the amount of potassium sulfate needed: Follow as explained for Urea.
• Mix the potassium sulfate with water: Follow as explained for urea.
• Apply the potassium sulfate solution to the soil: Once you have mixed the potassium sulfate with water, apply the solution to the soil around the base of the tomato plants. Be sure to follow the label instructions for the specific product you are using, as different products may have different application rates.
• Water the plants: After applying the potassium sulfate solution, be sure to water the plants to help the potassium sulfate dissolve and be absorbed by the roots.

AMMONIUM NITRATE

Ammonium nitrate is high in nitrogen and helps to increase the flowering, fruit production, and overall yield of tomatoes. It is also slow-acting, making it suitable for a long-term fertilizer application program. The downside of using ammonium nitrate is that it is highly water-soluble, which could lead to potential runoff that could contaminate nearby bodies of water.

CALCIUM NITRATE

Calcium nitrate helps to improve the soil structure and also increases the calcium availability in the soil. This helps to increase the overall uptake of necessary nutrients and reduce disease risks. However, calcium nitrate is a highly soluble fertilizer, so it is important to be cautious when applying it so that runoff does not occur.

COMPOSTED MANURE

Manure is the main organic source of nutrients for tomatoes. Composted manure supplies a rich and balanced combination of macro and micro-nutrients that facilitate the healthy and accelerated growth of tomatoes. Manure decomposes quickly and helps to increase water retention of the soil, enhance seedling growth, and aid the development of deeper roots in the soil. Composted manure is best applied in spring before planting your tomatoes and repeated after harvesting during the off-season.

Here are the steps for using composted manure efficiently to boost tomato production:

Obtain composted manure: You can purchase composted manure from a local supplier or make your own by composting animal manure and other organic materials. It’s important to use composted manure rather than fresh manure, as fresh manure can contain high levels of ammonia and other toxins that can be harmful to plants.

Determine the nutrient needs of your tomato plants: Tomato plants have specific nutrient needs, and it’s important to understand these needs in order to use composted manure effectively. In general, tomato plants require a balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) for optimal growth. Composted manure is a good source of all three of these nutrients.

Calculate the amount of composted manure needed: To determine how much-composted manure you need, you’ll need to calculate the nutrient requirements for your tomato plants. You can do this by multiplying the nutrient requirement by the size of your garden bed or field. For example, if your tomato plants require 500g of nutrients per 100 square feet and your garden bed is 200 square feet, you’ll need 1kg of nutrients.

Mix the composted manure with soil: Before applying the composted manure to your garden bed, mix it into the soil to a depth of about 6 inches. This will help to improve the soil structure and provide the plants with a steady supply of nutrients.

Apply the composted manure to the soil: Once you have mixed the composted manure with the soil, spread it evenly over the surface of the garden bed. Be sure to follow the label instructions for the specific product you are using, as different products may have different application rates.

Water the plants: After applying the composted manure, be sure to water the plants to help the nutrients dissolve and be absorbed by the roots.

CROP RESIDUES

Crop residues also provide an abundant and inexpensive source of organic fertilizer. After harvesting, crop residues can be chopped and tilled into the soil. This technique helps to replenish essential Organic Carbon (OC) in the soil, which contributes to the structure of the soil and helps break-down of nutrients from other sources.

SEAWEED EXTRACT

Seaweed extract or kelp meal works as an excellent organic fertilizer. It prevents soil nutrient depletion and provides a deep natural source of minerals, vitamins, hormones, and trace elements for optimal plant health and productivity. It also helps the plants to develop more resistance to adverse conditions such as wind, frost, and drought. Example of some seaweed extract are – Boostract Organic Stimulant Fertilizer, Micro Force Foliar Fertilizer, Foliar Plus Urea/Liquid Organic Fertilizer, Tecamin Flowering Biostimulant Activator.

Here are some tips for using seaweed extract efficiently in tomato farming:

Mix the seaweed extract with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Seaweed extract is typically applied as a foliar spray, so it’s important to dilute it properly to avoid damaging the leaves of the plants.

Apply the seaweed extract to the foliage of the tomato plants. This will help the plants absorb nutrients and hormones more effectively.

Apply the seaweed extract at the recommended frequency. Different seaweed extract products may have different application rates, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Avoid applying seaweed extract to the foliage of the plants during the hottest part of the day. It’s best to apply the seaweed extract in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as intense.

Use seaweed extract as part of a balanced fertilization program. While seaweed extract can be an effective supplement, it should not be relied upon as the sole source of nutrients for plants. Be sure to also use other types of fertilizers, such as a balanced NPK fertilizer, to provide the plants with all of the nutrients they need.

It’s important to use seaweed extract as part of a well-rounded fertilization program to ensure that your plants are getting all of the nutrients they need to thrive.

BONE MEAL

Bone meals is a slow-release organic fertilizer used to prevent phosphorus and nitrogen deficiencies in soils. It helps boost the growth of tomatoes and guard against soil-borne diseases and pests. Additionally, bone meal can be combined with other beneficial ingredients such as kelp meal and greensand to provide a robust and complete fertilizer blend for tomato farming.

Here are some tips for using bone meal efficiently in tomato farming to boost production:

• Mix the bone meal with soil according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Bone meal is typically applied as a dry fertilizer, so it’s important to mix it with soil to ensure that it is evenly distributed.
• Apply the bone meal to the soil around the base of the tomato plants. This will help the plants absorb the nutrients more effectively.
• Apply the bone meal at the recommended frequency. Different bone meal products may have different application rates, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Avoid applying bone meal to the foliage of the plants. It’s best to apply the bone meal directly to the soil to avoid damaging the leaves of the plants.
• Use the bone meal as part of a balanced fertilization program. While bone meal can be an effective supplement, it should not be relied upon as the sole source of nutrients for plants. Be sure to also use other types of fertilizers, such as a balanced NPK fertilizer, to provide the plants with all of the nutrients they need.

It’s important to use bone meal as part of a well-rounded fertilization program to ensure that your plants are getting all of the nutrients they need to thrive.

The one disadvantage of organic fertilizers to boost your tomato yields is their slow release time. Synthetic fertilizers tend to release their nutrients faster and can be structured to provide a rapid boost to growth as needed. However, organic fertilizers don’t work like this, and instead, a slower, more measured approach is needed. This makes them ideal for tomato farming in Kenya, as the slow release can provide a steady supply of nutrients through the entirety of the tomato growing season.

In conclusion, to boost your tomato yields, there are a variety of inorganic and organic fertilizers that can be used for tomato farming in Kenya, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it is important for farmers to understand the different types of fertilizers that are available and how each one should be applied correctly in order to ensure healthy crops and successful tomato yields.