Sometimes dirty brown spots appear on the tops of tomatoes - this is vertex rot. One of the most commonly used disease control agents is calcium nitrate. Read about how effective the product is and how to process tomatoes with it, read in this article.
Causes of vertex rot
Decay of tomatoes occurs due to calcium deficiency. This microelement is necessary for plants to participate in the formation of cell elements: membranes, walls. A lack of calcium leads to softening of the fetus and the appearance of signs of decay (brown spot on top). Rot spreads inward, and the stain on the peel dries and forms a cavity. Usually vertex rot appears during sharp fluctuations in air temperature and humidity.
Greenhouse and ground plants can be affected. The main reasons for the appearance of rot are:
- sudden changes in weather: heat / cold, drought / rain;
- soil acidification and calcium deficiency in them;
- moisture deficiency in hot weather;
- an excess of nitrogen.
What is calcium nitrate?
Calcium nitrate, or calcium nitrate, is a solid, colorless substance. It can be used to fertilize tomatoes and other plants. Calcium nitrate is obtained by combining nitric acid with limestone, followed by the addition of ammonia. Ready to eat form - solution.
Thanks to calcium nitrate, tomatoes get the necessary nitrogen and calcium for development. The substance neutralizes acids and serves to detoxify plants in acidified soils. Nitrogen helps leaf growth and the processing of vegetable protein, and is also used against vertebral rot and other fungal diseases.
Did you know? Calcium nitrate can absorb water from the air, so it is not recommended to store it for more than a year.
Is it possible to spray tomato nitrate on top rot with calcium nitrate?
Before using this or that drug, do a soil test. To do this, stir a spoonful of soil with a spoonful of vinegar. The appearance of bubbles indicates that the soil is alkaline - it is in this soil that tomatoes develop well. If there are no bubbles, then the soil is acidic: it must be deoxidized, otherwise the plants will be affected by rot. Calcium nitrate can be used as a spray for treating leaves.
This should be done at the end of flowering of tomatoes for the treatment or prevention of apical rot. To spray leaves from rot, as well as to eliminate calcium deficiency and add nitrogen, mix 100–130 g of calcium nitrate with 100 l of water. Before processing tomatoes, they need to be well watered - moisture will accelerate the absorption of minerals. Spray the solution onto the leaves in the evening or in the morning when the sun is low above the horizon.
Did you know? The industrial production of nitrates (nitrate) started only in the 20th century. Prior to this, the Chilean Atacama Desert was the largest source of mineralized nitrates.
Pros
The described fertilizer is considered one of the most necessary for a good harvest of tomatoes. Especially important is calcium nitrate on clay soils - calcium makes this soil more porous and improves the consumption of nutrients by the plant.
- Among the useful properties, it is also noted that the drug:
- improves cell structures;
- accelerates plant growth;
- improves the condition of the root system;
- increases resistance to diseases;
- increases productivity by 10-15%.
Minuses
A significant drawback is the oversupply of any fertilizer. If calcium nitrate is applied to alkaline soil, an excess of nitrogen and calcium may occur.
- Cons of the drug:
- cessation of moisture consumption by the plant, followed by wilting;
- excess nitrogen will manifest itself in the powerful development of the stem and small leaves;
- excess calcium will cause intervein chlorosis (whitish spots on the leaves).
How to prepare the solution
Calcium nitrate is water-soluble, therefore, it can be used both in dry form and in the form of a solution for application to the soil or spraying. If the task is to strengthen the root system, then the substance should be introduced into the soil, because the substances move only from the roots to the leaves and never back. In turn, dry application is possible only in very moist soil during planting - this will provide gradual absorption.
For the prevention of vertebral rot, processing is carried out in the flowering phase. Also keep in mind that some fertilizers sold in stores already contain calcium and nitrogen. And if you treated the plants with such a preparation, then the addition of calcium nitrate will cause an excess of minerals. Always read labels and fertilizer instructions because an overabundance of nitrogen and calcium is harmful to tomatoes.
Important! If nitrates are present in water or products in quantities exceeding ten milligrams per liter, this poses a potential threat to infants under six months of age, as well as to young and pregnant animals.
Proportions
The solution consists of calcium nitrate and water. Its proportions depend on the tasks that the farmer solves:
- to protect seedlings from rot, prepare an aqueous solution of calcium nitrate (2 g per 1 liter of water); the first feeding is carried out in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, and then every 15 days;
- to grow and strengthen the root system, 20 g of calcium nitrate are dissolved in a bucket of water and 200–300 g of solution are added to the bushes;
- when planting, you can add 20 g of dry fertilizer to the soil for each tomato bush to enhance growth;
- spraying plants for disease prevention is performed with a solution of 10 g of calcium nitrate and 1 l of water - several times with an interval of 15 days during the formation of the ovaries.
The need for periodic top dressing arises from the need to replenish calcium and nitrogen reserves, i.e., these microelements are actively consumed by plants during the growth process.Step cooking
Calcium nitrate is highly soluble in water, and therefore a leaf spray is considered the best option for its use. Preparation and use of the solution:
- pour dry matter into a bucket (10 l);
- pour water there - under the influence of a stream, calcium nitrate will dissolve;
- stir until completely dissolved;
- put the solution into a spray bottle or sprayer;
- spray the solution onto tomatoes from a distance of 1.2–1.5 m.
Video: how to cure vertex rot on tomatoes
Basic rules for processing tomatoes
Calcium nitrate can be used to spray 1 time in 15 days. When planting seedlings in the soil, fertilizers are applied under the root, and for the prevention of vertebral rot, the drug is sprayed onto the leaves in the flowering phase and then repeated every 15 days.
Important! The prepared solution of calcium nitrate should be used on the same day.
Preventive measures for the disease
Like other edible plants, tomatoes require fertilizer to provide nutrients, which promotes plant growth.
In order for tomatoes not to be affected by diseases, it is necessary:
- choose disease resistant varieties;
- treat the seeds before planting with a saturated solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) for 0.5–1 hours;
- check the acid reaction of the soil - when revealing an increased acidity, treat the beds with slaked lime or chalk;
- Prevent drying of the soil or its overmoistening;
- if signs of vertebral rot are detected, remove the affected tomatoes and treat the plants with calcium nitrate.
Work Precautions
Calcium nitrate should be stored in a sealed sealed container in a dry place. Do not buy a large supply of matter, because over time its effectiveness decreases.
Basic Precautions:
- work with dry matter and aqueous solution in rubber gloves;
- Calcium nitrate is harmless, but its strong concentration can cause burns, so if it comes into contact with skin or mucous membranes, rinse the contact area with water;
- Keep away from children and pets.
Maximum yield is achieved by the correct balance of trace elements. Take into account the degree of acidity of your soil and choose the right proportions of calcium nitrate to get a good tomato crop.
