Fertilizer application system for obtaining a high tomato harvest

Tomato nutrition system: from soil preparation to fruit filling

The physiology of tomato nutrition requires strict adherence to the growing season phases to obtain a high harvest. Phosphorus uptake by the crop ends by early August, when the accumulation of dry matter in leaves stops and fruit set begins. During the fruiting period and until the end of maturation, the plants experience an increased need for nitrogen and potassium. At the same time, fruit filling occurs mainly due to nutrients already accumulated in the vegetative organs of the bush.

The efficiency of mineral fertilizers directly depends on the soil and climatic conditions of the field. The combined use of organic matter and mineral fertilizers shows the best results on all soil types. In chernozems, phosphorus fertilizers play a key role in harvest formation, and additional nitrogen application provides a significant increase. On peat soils, due to potassium deficiency, the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus components decreases sharply.

To prepare the plot for tomatoes, decomposed manure, compost, or the specialized Bionex organic-mineral complex is used. With an increase in manure doses, the yield of the crop naturally rises, but this type of organic matter is better applied under the predecessor crop. Directly before transplant planting, nitrogen fertilizers or Gumi-Omi Spring are applied during loosening.

System option	Organic base	Mineral and organic-mineral components
Mineral	Humus or compost — 6 kg/m²	Double superphosphate or ammophos — 25–30 g/m² + potassium chloride — 20–25 g/m² (or potassium sulfate — 20–30 g/m², or potassium magnesium sulfate — 40–50 g/m²)
Organic-mineral	Bionex — 2–4 kg/m²	Gumi-Omi Phosphorus — 50–60 g/m² + Gumi-Omi Potassium — 40–60 g/m²

• Organic matter consumption during digging — 6 kg/m²
• Fertilizer dose per hole — 5 g
• Interval between top dressing — 10 days
• Liquid organic matter consumption per bush — 0.5 l

1. Basic soil preparation. Deep digging of the plot is carried out in the autumn or early spring according to one of the schemes indicated in the table.
2. At-planting application. When planting transplants directly into the holes, 5 g of superphosphate, ammophos, or Gumi-Omi Universal are applied locally.
3. Starting root top dressing. Conducted 10–15 days after transplant planting. The agronomist chooses one of the options: simple fertilizers (urea 5–6 g/m², double superphosphate 20–25 g/m², potassium sulfate 20–25 g/m² or potassium magnesium sulfate 10–12 g/m²), organic-mineral mixtures (Gumi-Omi Nitrogen 10–12 g/m², Gumi-Omi Phosphorus 40–50 g/m², Gumi-Omi Potassium 40–50 g/m²) or complex preparations (ammophos 20 g/m², nitrophos 20–30 g/m² or nitroammophos 20–30 g/m² with the addition of potassium sulfate 5–6 g/m², potassium magnesium sulfate 10–12 g/m², nitroammophoska 15–20 g/m² or a complex with micronutrients).
4. Stimulation of growth and flowering. During the period of green mass accumulation, flowering, and fruit set, liquid root top dressing with a cow manure solution (1:10) or poultry manure (1:20) at 0.5 l per plant is effective. To improve fruit set, stimulate root formation, and reduce the number of barren flowers, the crops are sprayed on the leaves with the Borogum-M preparation (5 ml per 0.5 l of water per 10 m²).
5. Regular top dressing. Every 10 days, treatments with complex fertilizers are carried out. For foliar treatments, 30 g of urea, 15 g of potassium sulfate, 15 g of magnesium sulfate, and 1 g each of ammonium molybdate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, and iron sulfate are dissolved in 10 l of water. As an alternative, organic-mineral mixtures are used: Gumi-Omi Nitrogen (60 g per 10 l of water) and Gumi-Omi Potassium (30 g per 10 l of water) with subsequent rotation of Gumi-Omi Tomato and Bogaty Vegetables preparations once every 10 days.

Biological characteristics and nutritional value of pepper

Sweet pepper is a heat-loving crop of the nightshade family, whose market demand is driven by its high dietary properties. Pepper fruits contain up to 5% sugars, represented mainly by glucose and fructose, as well as a rich complex of vitamins B1, B2, B9, P, and PP. In terms of the concentration of vitamin C, which accumulates as the fruits ripen, pepper surpasses most vegetable crops, and in terms of vitamin A (carotene) content, especially in biologically ripe red and yellow fruits, it outpaces carrots.

The mineral profile of the crop includes salts of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, as well as zinc, iodine, and iron. The fruits are rich in fiber, and their characteristic aroma is determined by essential oils, the content of which ranges from 0.1 to 1.25%. Hot pepper contains the alkaloid capsaicin, which gives the fruits their pungency at minimal caloric value.

This biochemical composition makes pepper a valuable raw material for the food industry and dietetics. The produce is beneficial for anemia due to its iron content, helps with weight maintenance, strengthening blood vessels and immunity, and improving memory and brain activity. The high potassium content supports the functioning of the cardiovascular system, while the complex of antioxidants and vitamins aids in the prevention of cellular damage. Capsaicin in hot pepper helps lower blood pressure and thins the blood, preventing the formation of blood clots.

Peppers should be stored unpacked in the refrigerator, in the vegetable drawer on the bottom shelf, as this allows them to maintain their beneficial properties for as long as possible. Peppers, like other fruits and vegetables, can be sprayed with the biological product Fitosporin Anti-Rot (1 ml per 1 kg), which increases storage duration by 1.5-2 times and preserves significantly more vitamins. They can also be frozen for long-term storage. It is better to consume them raw, but during heat treatment, they lose almost none of their beneficial properties (the fiber simply becomes softer, and vitamin C can dissolve when boiled in water, so it is better to stew or bake the peppers).

Pepper plants are very responsive to fertilizer application, and a properly developed nutrition system is the basis for high and stable yields. To form 1 kg of fruits, 60 mg of nitrogen, 15 mg of phosphorus, and 80 mg of potassium are used. The total demand of pepper plants for fertilizers depends on the content of nutrients in the soil, their digestibility, and removal with the harvest.

Top dressing of pepper transplants is carried out depending on the state of the plants at intervals of 10-15 days, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. The following components are taken per bucket of water:

Ammonium nitrate	10-15 g
Potassium sulfate	15-20 g
Superphosphate	20-25 g
Gumi-Omi Nitrogen	15-20 g
Gumi-Omi Potassium	30-40 g
Gumi-Omi Phosphorus	40-50 g

Wood ash can be used as a potassium fertilizer, but the dose must be doubled. You can use a solution of poultry manure (1 part to 15 parts water) or cow manure infusion (1:10).

After each top dressing, the remnants of the solution must be washed off the plants with clean water. It is better to irrigate and apply top dressing to transplants in the morning so that the plants can dry out during the day, which will protect them from fungal diseases.

In open soil, it is better to set aside areas protected from cold winds for peppers, with a southern slope and light, structured, neutral soils rich in organic matter. The best predecessors for it are cabbage, root crops (carrots, beet, turnips), berry bushes, cucurbits (cucumbers, summer squash, pumpkin), and legumes (beans, peas, fava beans). It is not recommended to plant peppers in areas where nightshades (tomato, potato, eggplant) were grown before, as a number of diseases common to them are transmitted through the soil.

During autumn digging of the site, apply 5-10 kg of humus, 30-50 g of superphosphate, 30-40 g of potassium sulfate, or 50-80 g of ash—which contains a number of trace elements necessary for plant development in addition to potassium—or 60-100 g of Gumi-Omi Phosphorus and 60-80 g of Gumi-Omi Potassium per 1 m2. If necessary, soil for peppers is limed by applying 300-500 g/m2 of lime or chalk or 0.6-1.0 kg of LimeGumi in the autumn before digging. In the spring, during soil loosening, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers at 30-40 g/m2, nitrogen fertilizers at 20-30 g/m2, or complex fertilizer Gumi-Omi Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper. Immediately before planting, the plot is lightly tilled.

After 10-15 days, the plants are top-dressed by providing a complete mineral fertilizer: 20 g each of ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate and 30 g of superphosphate (an aqueous extract of it is better, per 10 L of water), or 30-40 g each of Gumi-Omi Nitrogen and Gumi-Omi Potassium and 60 g of Gumi-Omi Phosphorus per the same 10 L of water. Top dressing is repeated, especially during the period of flowering, the beginning of fruit set, and fruiting, using both organic fertilizers and a mixture of organic and mineral fertilizers. Borogum and Bogaty preparations are useful against barren flowers.

Table root crops. The homeland of root crops—carrots and beets—is the humid regions of Europe and Asia. They belong to the group of cold-hardy plants; seedlings withstand frosts down to -2 – 3°C, and the optimal temperature is plus 15 – 25°C. Seedlings are demanding of light, so timely thinning and weeding are necessary. They are relatively drought-resistant plants, but high humidity is required during the period of seed germination and intensive root crop growth.

Root crops (carrots, parsley, celery, beet, radish, radish/daikon) yield high harvests on well-cultivated, fertile, non-acidic, medium and light-textured soils.

It is impossible to obtain a good root crop harvest on heavy clay and podzolic soils that have a shallow plough layer and form a crust after rain or irrigation. Acidic soils must be limed; however, lime application directly for root crops is undesirable. Lime or Lime-Gumi should be applied for the preceding crop (cabbage, cucumbers, cucurbits).

Soil for cultivating root crops must be loose and enriched with organic matter; therefore, when preparing it in the autumn, apply humus or compost (one bucket per 1 m²), adding phosphate-potash fertilizer (30 g of potassium chloride or potassium sulfate and 25 g of double superphosphate) or 60 g of Gumi-Omi Potash and 50 g of Gumi-Omi Phosphorus. Instead of superphosphate, one can apply ammophos or diammophos (25 g/m²), Gumi-Omi Autumn or Bionex-1, adding Gumi-Omi Phosphorus and Gumi-Omi Potash to it.

Nutrient requirements of root crops and soil preparation

To obtain a high harvest of carrots and beets, it is important to prepare the plot correctly. Carrots are best placed on cultivated sandy loam, light loamy soils, and lowland peat. Heavy clay and waterlogged soils are unsuitable for this crop. Beets, unlike carrots, tolerate high doses of fertilizers well and respond excellently to top dressing with sodium nitrate, or solutions of cow manure or poultry manure.

• Optimal soil pH — 5.5
• Magnesium sulfate dose on light soils — 5–6 g/m²
• Increase in antioxidants when boiling carrots — by 34%
• Water consumption for liquid top dressing in dry weather — 10 L per 2–3 linear meters

Nutrient uptake by root crops is uneven. Carrots require a continuous supply of nutrients throughout the season. In July, they require about half of the total potassium requirement for root growth, and the peak uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus occurs in July and August. When calculating doses, focus on the volumes of nutrient removal by the plants.

Nutrient	Removal per 10 kg of root crops with tops, g
Potassium (K₂O)	38
Nitrogen (N)	23
Phosphorus (P₂O₅)	10

Fertilizer application schedule and methods of top dressing

When planning a nutrition system, consider the natural soil fertility of the field. If the soil is highly supplied with phosphorus and potassium, it is sufficient to apply nitrogen fertilizers in early spring before sowing and add 3–5 g/m² of granular superphosphate or complex fertilizer Gumi-Omi Carrot to the rows during sowing.

On standard backgrounds, the following sequence of technological operations is effective:

1. Spring pre-sowing application. Apply as desired: 15 g/m² of urea, 30 g/m² of Gumi-Omi Nitrogen, 30 g/m² of ammonium sulfate, or the preparation Gumi-Omi Carrot, Radish, Beet, Turnip, Radish. When preparing soil for beets, double the nitrogen dose. As an alternative, use nitrophoska (100 g/m²), nitroammophoska (50 g/m²), nitrophos (70 g/m²), or nitroammophos (30 g/m² with the addition of 30 g/m² of potash fertilizer, for example, Gumi-Omi Potash, or 1–2 glasses of ash per 1 m²).
2. At-sowing fertilizer in rows. To stimulate initial growth, apply superphosphate at a rate of 2–3 g per 1 linear meter or the preparation Gumi-Omi Phosphorus at a dose of 4–6 g per 1 linear meter.
3. Starter top dressing. At the beginning of growth (or a month after sowing), apply the preparation Bogatyi Vegetables, Berries, Greens. If seedlings develop weakly and turn pale, fertilize them with a complete mineral mixture with micronutrients (25 g/m²), a fruit and berry mixture (30 g/m²), nitroammophoska (15 g/m²), or a complex fertilizer for home gardens (20 g/m²).
4. Second top dressing. Perform this 2–3 weeks later using the preparation Gumi-Omi Spring. When using standard mineral fertilizer, increase its starter dose by 1.5 times.
5. Regular care and phosphating. During the growing season, fertilize the plantings every 12–14 days with the preparation Gumi-Omi Potato. A month after the starter top dressing, apply Gumi-Omi Phosphorus.

The application method depends on the weather. In wet weather or after irrigation, distribute dry fertilizer along the furrows in the row spacing and ensure it is incorporated into the soil by loosening. In dry conditions, dissolve the working doses in 10 liters of water and irrigate 2–3 linear meters of the row. If mineral fertilizers are not available, apply wood ash into the furrows at a rate of 1 cup per 1 linear meter, followed by incorporation.

Mineral nutrition of table beet

Table beet is demanding regarding soil fertility and the quality of nutrition. It grows well on cultivated loams with a neutral reaction. The crop is extremely sensitive to increased acidity: if the pH level is below 5.8, it is necessary to perform liming or apply IzvestGumi. Also, beet cannot tolerate waterlogged and swampy areas with a high water table.

To form a high-quality harvest, beet requires a significant amount of potassium — this crop is considered potassium-loving. The accumulation of sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose, the share of which in root crops reaches 25%) depends directly on the balance of elements in the soil. Beet tolerates higher concentrations of the soil solution better than most other vegetables, so it responds well to high doses of mineral fertilizers.

• N consumption per 10 kg of root crops with tops — 27 g
• P₂O₅ consumption per 10 kg of root crops with tops — 15 g
• K₂O consumption per 10 kg of root crops with tops — 43 g
• N:P:K ratio in the harvest — 1 : 0.6 : 1.6
• Optimal soil acidity pH — 6.2–7.5

The basal and sowing application of fertilizers is planned based on the nutrient availability of the soil. In autumn, phosphorus and potassium forms are incorporated during digging, while nitrogen is applied in spring. When sowing, it is mandatory to use starter doses of fertilizers in the rows for the rapid development of the root system in the initial stages.

Application time	Type of fertilizer	Dosage (per 1 m²)
Autumn before digging	Double superphosphate (or Gumi-Omi Phosphorus / ammophos)	up to 20 g (or 40 g)
	Potassium chloride (or Gumi-Omi Potassium)	up to 25 g (or 50 g)
Spring before sowing	Urea (or Gumi-Omi Nitrogen / Gumi-Omi Spring / Gumi-Omi Carrot, Radish, Beet)	20–25 g (or 40–50 g)
	Nitrogen (on soils with high nutrient availability) / Gumi-Omi Nitrogen	6–8 g (or 12–16 g)
At sowing in rows	Granular superphosphate / Gumi-Omi Phosphorus / ammophos / complex fertilizers	5–7 g

To improve quality indicators and increase the sugar content of root crops, it is preferable to use sodium nitrate among nitrogen fertilizers. At the beginning of development, plants are particularly in need of available phosphorus, which stimulates the growth of the root system. This ensures the rapid formation of the leaf apparatus.

The critical period for nutrient consumption in beet falls on late July — early August, when the root crops are intensely filling. During this time, plants absorb more than 50% of all nutrients, so top dressing yields maximum effect. The care schedule for the crops during this period includes root and foliar treatments.

1. First root top dressing. Conducted after the formation of 3–4 true leaves. Use a solution of poultry manure or cow manure at a rate of 1 bucket of working solution per 8–10 linear meters of the bed.
2. Second root top dressing. Conducted at the beginning of root crop formation with the Gumi-Omi Phosphorus preparation.
3. Third root top dressing. Conducted 10 days after the second one using the Gumi-Omi Potassium preparation.

To obtain a high harvest on any soil type, foliar treatment must be carried out in the 4–6 leaf phase. Plants are sprayed with a tank mixture of macro- and microelements. To prepare the working solution, dissolve the following in 10 liters of water:

• 10–20 g of urea (or 20–40 g Gumi-Omi Nitrogen);
• 1–2 g of potassium magnesia;
• 0.5–1 g each of ammonium molybdate, boric acid, zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, and manganese sulfate (microelements can be replaced by Borogum and Bogaty preparations).

Soil preparation and nutrition of radish

Radish is a fast-growing crop requiring fertile soils with constant optimal humidity. The plant is tolerant to soil acidity in the range of pH 5.0–7.3, so liming the soil for it is only necessary in case of strong acidification. Due to the short growing season, radish is sensitive to direct application of organic matter.

Organic fertilizers in an amount of 4–5 kg/m² are applied to low-humus sod-podzolic soil exclusively for the preceding crop. If this practice was not carried out in advance, rotted manure or humus is incorporated in the autumn. The application rates for autumn fertilizer application for radish are given below.

• Autumn application rate of humus or rotted manure — 1.5–2 kg/m²
• Optimal soil pH for radish — 5.0–7.3
• Organic application rate for the predecessor on sod-podzolic soil — 4–5 kg/m²

Along with autumn organic matter, mineral complexes are applied for radish. This allows for the formation of root vegetables with firm flesh, free of cavities and excessive bitterness. Balanced nutrition also accelerates the ripening of marketable produce.

Superphosphate	10 – 20 g/m2 (or 20-40 g/m2 Gumi-Omi Phosphorus)
Potassium sulfate	20 – 30 g/m2 (or 40-60 g/m2 Gumi-Omi Potassium)
Other components	Kalimagnesia and Bionex-1

On highly fertile soil, radish can be grown without organic fertilizers. For autumn plantings, the mineral fertilizer rates are increased by 1.3 times.

At the beginning of development, radish requires increased phosphorus nutrition, so it responds well to the application of granular superphosphate (5 g/m2) and Gumi-Omi Phosphorus (10 g/m2) in rows during seed sowing. It should be taken into account that due to the short growing season, it is better to apply quick-acting forms of nitrogen fertilizers (potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate or Gumi-Omi Nitrogen) for radish.

As a short growing season crop, radish can be grown without top dressing if the soil is enriched with mineral fertilizers before sowing.

Radish once came to us from the Mediterranean. It is a very ancient vegetable; it was consumed in Ancient Egypt. These root vegetables contain a fairly large amount of vitamins C, B1, B2, and vitamins of other groups. Radish is rich in minerals, organic acids, essential oils, and glucosides.

The root vegetable contains many useful elements:

• potassium;
• sodium;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• sulfur.

There are more potassium salts in radish than in any other vegetable. The product also includes iron, iodine, phosphorus, etc.

Radish can safely be called a medicinal vegetable. Doctors advise using radish juice to improve bowel function. In folk medicine, there are recipes that allow using this vegetable to get rid of intestinal motility disorders. Thanks to this wonderful root vegetable, one can prevent insidious atherosclerosis. Radish is also useful for patients suffering from gallstone disease and urolithiasis (kidney stone disease). Grated radish is used to treat radiculitis. This product helps to reduce swelling.

Radish helps to improve appetite. It has been established that this root vegetable is capable of removing toxins and waste from the body.

Radish requires light, highly fertile soil. For soil digging, it is effective to apply Gumi-Omi Autumn or Bionex-1, adding Gumi-Omi Phosphorus and Gumi-Omi Potassium to it. It responds well to nitrogen-potassium fertilizers and the application of granular superphosphate in rows during sowing. In terms of nutritional requirements, it is similar to autumn radish cultivars, so when calculating mineral fertilizer rates, you can use the data for radish.

Turnip. Its birthplace is considered to be the former Persia. Initially, turnip was considered food for the poor, but even in Ancient Rome, various dishes made from turnip were served at the feasts of aristocrats. Turnip is very rich in vitamin C – it has more than any other vegetable, and even more than in citrus fruits. Perhaps that is why it was famous as a strong antiscorbutic agent and saved our ancestors from vitamin deficiency, especially in the spring.

In addition, turnip is high in calcium, which is extremely important for children – after all, it is in childhood that there is a risk of rickets. And finally, the third important component of turnip is glucoraphanin – a plant analogue of sulforaphane, which has strong anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties.

Besides these three vitamin-mineral "pillars," turnip contains high concentrations of phosphorus and magnesium, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, PP, sulfur, iron, potassium, and some other vitamins and minerals, the combination of which is very effective in supporting human health.

Turnip produces good yields on light, fertile soil. It is not recommended to apply fresh manure and high doses of nitrogen fertilizers under it, as this causes the formation of hollow root vegetables, excessive leaf growth, and deterioration of root vegetable quality. Mineral fertilizers are applied at the rate of:

Element	Dosage (g/m2)
N	4-6
P	4-6
K	9-12

Organic-mineral fertilizers Gumi-Omi Autumn or Bionex-1 are effective, adding Gumi-Omi Phosphorus and Gumi-Omi Potassium to them.

Bulbous vegetable crops are very demanding regarding the soil reaction and soil fertility. It is best to grow them in fertile, slightly acidic or neutral soils.

Onion contains essential oil, which causes its sharp smell and taste and acts as an irritant to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. Onion contains sugars, inulin, phytin, vitamin B1 (up to 10 mg%), carotene 6 mg%, the flavonoid quercetin, phytoncides, and ascorbic acid. The leaves contain vitamins B2 (50 mg%), carotene (4 mg%), citric and malic acids, and sugar. Onion has an antimicrobial effect and stimulates appetite. It activates the secretory-motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract, contributes to better absorption of nutrients by the body, enhances cardiac activity, and prevents the development of atherosclerosis.

Onion is a cold-resistant crop; the optimal temperature for growth is +19±7°C. This crop is demanding of soil fertility and grows best in well-cultivated sandy loam and light loamy soils. It can produce good harvests in lowland peat soils (however, an excess of nitrogen in these soils delays the ripening of the bulbs, resulting in poor storage during the winter period). Onion grows well and produces high yields with a slightly acidic and neutral soil reaction (at pHKCl 5.8 - 6.5). In acidic soils, it is best to plant it in the second or third year after liming, as it cannot tolerate direct application of lime.

Nutrition of onion crops: bulb onion, leek, and garlic

The root system of bulb onion branches weakly and reacts sharply to high salt concentrations in the soil. At the same time, the absorption of nutrients occurs slowly, especially at the start of growth. The peak of NPK consumption occurs in June when planting sets and in August when growing from seed.

For balanced onion nutrition, combine mineral fertilizers with organic matter. In peat-bog soils, be sure to add copper — this is critically important for bulb ripening. To compensate for the deficiency of micronutrients, it is recommended to use the "Bogatyy" complex fertilizer.

• NPK for bulb onion — 6–9 g/m² of each element (up to 12 g/m²)
• NPK for onion sets — 5–6 g/m² of each element
• Humus application rate for onion — 3–4 kg/m²
• Copper sulfate for peatlands — 1.5–3 g/m²
• Organic fertilizers for leek — 3 kg/m²

Top dressing helps to provide nutrition in fractions during critical development phases without overloading the soil solution. When growing onion sets and bulb onions, different application schemes are practiced. You can carry out a classic nitrogen-potassium top dressing or use a specialized two-stage system.

1. 20 days after planting, apply "GumiOmi Spring" fertilizer.
2. 2 weeks after the first top dressing, apply "GumiOmi Onion, Garlic".

For a standard nitrogen-potassium top dressing, a mixture of urea and potassium sulfate is used, 5–6 g/m² of each substance. As an alternative, organomineral fertilizers "Gumi-Omi Nitrogen" and "Gumi-Omi Potassium" are applied at 10–12 g/m². These fertilizers are applied in dry form to the row spacings before irrigation or are pre-dissolved in water.

Leek, unlike bulb onion, develops a huge vegetative mass and requires a lot of nitrogen. Only well-cultivated loamy soils rich in organic matter are suitable for it. Highly permeable sandy loam or heavy loamy soils are poorly suited for this crop.

Nutrient / Fertilizer	Main application rate, g/m²	Top dressing rate (with irrigation), g/m²
Nitrogen (N)	12–15	4–6 (as urea)
Phosphorus (P)	6–8	—
Potassium (K)	9–12	—
"GumiOmi Nitrogen"	—	8–12

Garlic is valued for containing about five hundred different biologically active components. It is rich in nitrogenous substances, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, vitamins, and essential oils. Proper nutrition increases the concentration of selenium and phytoncides, enhancing the medicinal properties of the harvest.

The crop grows best in light loamy soils with a high content of organic matter. The optimal soil reaction for garlic lies within the range of pH 6.5–7.9. Acidic soils in the plot must be limed, but lime should be applied strictly to the preceding crop.

Specifics of fertilizing leafy and spicy herbs

Perennial crops — sorrel, tarragon, asparagus, onions, horseradish, rhubarb — provide greens early in spring when it is not yet possible to obtain other vegetables. Their main advantage for the farm is the possibility of growing them in one place for 5 to 10 years. The short growing season of some species allows for repeated sowing during the season.

Leafy and spicy-flavor plants are demanding of soil and differ significantly in their total nutrient uptake. Organic and mineral fertilizers significantly increase their yield. Nutrients are applied both when growing transplants and during the further development of plants.

Nutrient uptake	Crops
High	Celery
Medium	Onions, asparagus
Low	Lettuce, spinach
Very low	Dill, savory, salad chicory

Rhubarb contains a large amount of malic acid and successfully replaces fruits in early spring. The aromatic substances of spicy-flavor crops improve the taste of food and stimulate the appetite. At the same time, the plants fully retain their valuable and medicinal properties even when dried.

Nitrogen balance and nutrition of leafy greens

When growing leafy crops from transplants, keep in mind that young plants are extremely demanding of nutritional conditions and are sensitive to high concentrations of salts in the soil. Due to a poorly developed root system, an excess of fertilizer at the start can easily damage seedlings. Most species of greens and spicy-aromatic crops prefer a neutral or slightly acidic soil solution reaction.

• Maximum nitrate accumulation in lettuce — up to 5600 mg/kg
• Ascorbic acid in dill — up to 120 mg%
• Carotene in dill — 3–5 mg
• Growth period of rhubarb in one place — 10–15 years

The main risk when growing greens is the accumulation of nitrates and nitrites in the aerial part, which is consumed as food. Leafy crops accumulate these compounds more actively than other vegetables, whose product part is the fruit. The main lever for controlling the purity of produce is strict adherence to the timing of nitrogen application, especially when performing the final top dressing before harvesting.

To obtain early dill greens, seed is sown in several stages or before winter, choosing light, fertile plots. Dill greens are rich in essential oils, vitamins, and mineral salts, the content of which directly depends on growing conditions. Leaf parsley is extremely demanding of soil fertility and grows best on light loams and sandy loams, exceeding carrots in its requirement for phosphorus.

Crop	Base application (per 1 m²)	Top dressing (per 1 m²)
Lettuce	In autumn: organic fertilizers (3–6 kg), phosphorus (superphosphate up to 20 g or Gumi-Omi Phosphorus up to 40 g), potassium (potassium chloride or potassium sulfate up to 25 g, or Gumi-Omi Potassium up to 50 g). Before sowing for digging: Gumi-Omi Autumn.	Two nitrogen top dressings: carbamide (5–10 g) or Gumi-Omi Nitrogen (10–20 g). The first — at the two true leaf stage, the second — two weeks after the first. During the growing season: 1–2 top dressings with the preparation Bogatyj Ovoshchi.
Dill	In autumn: double superphosphate (10–15 g) or Gumi-Omi Phosphorus (20–30 g), potassium fertilizers (10–20 g) or Gumi-Omi Potassium (20–40 g), Gumi-Omi Autumn. In spring: nitrogen fertilizers (5–10 g) or Gumi-Omi Nitrogen (10–20 g).	At the stage of 3 true leaves: complex fertilizer (up to 10 g).
Leaf parsley	For digging: organic fertilizers (4–5 kg).	On low-fertility and light soils (1–2 times): urea (5–6 g) or Gumi-Omi Nitrogen (10–12 g), or ammonium sulfate (10 g), or sodium nitrate (8–10 g), or the preparation Bogatyj Ovoshchi.

Fertilizing root and perennial green crops

For root and perennial crops, a differentiated approach to organic matter application is important. Fresh manure must not be applied under root parsley, as this causes branching and deformation of the roots. Perennial crops, such as rhubarb and sorrel, require a powerful starting soil dressing, as they grow in one place for years.

Parsnip and celery give the best results on neutral, well-cultivated loams or peat soils. Sorrel tolerates acidic soils excellently and grows best on humus-rich loams, performing somewhat worse on sandy loams. Rhubarb on acidic soils requires mandatory liming before establishing a plantation, which is usually set up on cultivated loams.

Crop	Main application (per 1 m²)	Top dressing (per 1 m²)
Root parsley	The scheme is similar to carrots, but the dose of phosphorus fertilizer is increased by 25–30%. Planting in the 2nd–3rd year after manure application.	—
Parsnip	In autumn or for the preceding crop: organic fertilizer (3–4 kg). At sowing in rows: granulated superphosphate (5 g) or Gumi-Omi Phosphorus (10 g). In spring: urea, superphosphate, and potassium chloride (15–20 g each) or Gumi-Omi Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (30–40 g each).	—
Celery	In autumn: organic fertilizer (3–4 kg). In spring: humus or compost (3–4 kg), mineral fertilizer (15–25 g).	Half of the nitrogen-potassium fertilizer is applied as top dressing. Top dressing with Bogatyi Vegetables, Berries, Greens preparations is effective.
Sorrel	On low-humus soils: manure (4–5 kg), mineral fertilizer (10–20 g).	After each harvest of leaves and in early spring: nitrogen fertilizer (5–10 g). In autumn (for better wintering): phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (phosphorus — 4 g, potassium — 6–9 g) or Bogatyi Vegetables, Berries, Greens.
Rhubarb	Before plantation establishment: organic fertilizer (8–10 kg). On acidic soils, liming is performed in autumn. Mineral fertilizers: nitrogen (9–15 g), phosphorus (8–10 g), potassium (15–20 g).	After harvesting: nitrogen-potassium fertilizer (nitrogen — 7–10 g, potassium — 9–12 g).

Specifics of nutrition for vegetable peas and beans

Vegetable legumes are attractive due to their cost-effectiveness: they require less fertilizer as they are capable of absorbing nitrogen directly from the air, and they extract phosphorus even from poorly soluble soil compounds. Vegetable peas prefer medium-cultivated loams; they grow significantly worse on sandy and sandy-loam soils. It is best to place peas in the field in the second or third year after the application of organic fertilizers. The crop is sensitive to soil acidity: the optimal range is pH 5.5–7 (neutral soils), and on acidic soils, yield drops sharply.

For loamy soils, the application rates of mineral fertilizers for vegetable peas are as follows:

• Ammophos on loams — 15–25 g/m²
• Potassium chloride or sulfate — 10–20 g/m²
• Gumi-Omi Nitrogen (alternative) — 20–30 g/m²
• Gumi-Omi Potassium (alternative) — 20–40 g/m²

To improve the yield of green peas and increase the protein content in beans, use the following top dressing scheme:

1. Before flowering, apply nitrogen top dressing at a dose of 1.5–2 g/m² of active ingredient and treat crops with ammonium molybdate at a concentration of 0.4–0.6 g/l. At this stage, it is also effective to use the complex preparation Bogatyi, which contains a full range of macro- and micronutrients.
2. During the flowering phase, apply Gumi-Omi Phosphorus top dressing.
3. When fruit set begins, feed the plants with Gumi-Omi Potassium fertilizer.

Vegetable beans are demanding regarding soil structure — medium- to heavy-loam carbonate soils are suitable for them. The crop responds excellently to the combined use of organic and mineral nutrition. The basic fertilization scheme for beans includes applying manure at a dose of 3–4 kg/m² in the autumn before ploughing, as well as applying mineral or organic-mineral fertilizers at a dose of 10–20 g/m².

Potato fertilization system

Potatoes are distinguished by high nutrient uptake and a requirement for high soil fertility. Based on the element ratio in the finished produce, they are considered a potassium-loving crop. However, field trials show that the greatest increase in tuber yield is provided by the application of nitrogen-phosphorus rather than potassium fertilizers.

Nutrient element (in active ingredient)	Uptake per 10 kg of tubers with the corresponding amount of foliage, g
Nitrogen (N)	35
Phosphorus (P₂O₅)	13
Potassium (K₂O)	60
Magnesium (MgO)	9

Potatoes require a slightly acidic soil reaction with pH_KCl between 5.5 and 6.0. If the pH_KCl value drops to 5.0 or below, the soil is limed with small doses of calcium-containing preparations (e.g., Izvest-Gumi). In the case of autumn liming of the plot, potassium and boron-containing fertilizers must be applied — in particular, the preparation Borogum at a rate of 10 g of pure boron per 100 m².

The highest returns from a potato field are achieved through the combined application of manure, mineral fertilizers, and the organic-mineral complex Gumi-Omi Potato. Exact dosages depend on soil analysis, cultivar, and climate. If nitrogen is applied against a background of strawy manure (at a rate of 0.3–0.5 t per 100 m²), then 1.2–1.8 kg of urea or 2.4–3.6 kg of Gumi-Omi Nitrogen is added to the same area.

Phosphorus nutrition is responsible for accelerating tuber formation and increasing storage life and starch content. The rates of phosphorus fertilizers are calculated based on the soil's nutrient supply level:

• With a low phosphorus supply, apply superphosphate at a dose of 1.8–2.2 kg per 100 m² or Gumi-Omi Phosphorus at a dose of 3.6–4.4 kg per 100 m². Application is divided into two periods: the main part is given in autumn (or in spring under ploughing), and the remainder — at planting.
• With a high supply, it is sufficient to apply 0.3–0.4 kg of double superphosphate (or ammophos) or 0.6–0.8 kg of Gumi-Omi Phosphorus per 100 m² locally during planting. For a quick start, it is effective to add the Gumi-Omi Potato preparation to the planting holes, thoroughly mixing it with the soil.

With average potassium reserves in the soil, starchy potato cultivars tolerate a nitrogen-to-potassium (N:K) ratio of 1:1.5–1.6. On heavy clay soils with a very high potassium content, the application rate of potash fertilizers is limited to 0.3–0.4 kg per 100 m². Only chlorine-free potassium forms are suitable for potatoes: potassium magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, or Gumi-Omi Potassium.

On chernozem soils, potatoes can be grown for some time without the use of manure. In this case, on soils with an average supply of available forms of nutrients, the following are applied: in autumn before ploughing — 1–2 kg of superphosphate and 2 kg of potassium sulfate, or 2–4 kg of Gumi-Omi Nitrogen and 4 kg of Gumi-Omi Potassium; in spring before secondary ploughing — 1.5 kg of urea or 3 kg of Gumi-Omi Nitrogen; in spring during planting — 1.5 kg of nitrophoska or 1 kg of nitroammophoska per 100 m² or the corresponding amount of Gumi-Omi Potato.

In addition, on all soils (regardless of their supply of mobile nutrients), potato crops, when planning a yield of 300 kg or more per 100 m², are sprayed three weeks after emergence with a solution of macro- and micronutrients. For this purpose, 4 liters of water are used per 100 m², in which 60 g of urea or 120 g of Gumi-Omi Nitrogen, 30 g of potassium sulfate or 60 g of Gumi-Omi Potassium, 40 g of magnesium sulfate, and 0.5 g each of ammonium molybdate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, and ferric sulfate are dissolved, as well as sprayed with Borogum-M before or during flowering.