Content
Tomato is a frequent and welcome guest on our table at any time of the year. Of course, the most delicious vegetables are those grown yourself. Here we control the entire development process of tomatoes - we choose what to fertilize the plants with, how to fight pests and diseases, and at what stage of ripeness to collect the fruits. Of course, we want tomatoes to suffer less, ripen faster and bear fruit abundantly before frost. On the way from sowing seeds for seedlings to harvesting a lot of worries await us, many troubles await us. We also have assistants, you just need to know about them and use them correctly. Today we will find out what iodine means for tomato seedlings - is it friend or foe, and whether it should be used.
Iodine value for tomatoes
Iodine is not considered an element vital for plant organisms; the mechanism of its effect on flora is poorly understood. But there is no doubt that such an effect exists and that it is beneficial.
Iodine itself does not play a decisive role in the life of a tomato.It is not necessary to treat them at all - there is simply no such thing as iodine deficiency in plants. We can say that this element acts as a catalyst - it stimulates better absorption of nutrients and activates the plant’s own defense mechanisms.
Tomatoes can receive iodine from soil, fertilizers, root and foliar treatments. The need for such treatments varies depending on the soil and chemicals you use. The following soils are considered to be the richest in the content of this element:
- Tundra peatlands;
- Krasnozems;
- Chernozems;
- Chestnut soil.
Iodine-poor soils:
- Podzolic;
- Gray forest;
- Serozems;
- Solonetz;
- Burozems.
Knowing what kind of soil in your area you can determine whether to use iodine necessarily or only when problems arise. Please note that it is contained in:
- phosphate rock;
- manure;
- peat;
- peat ash;
- wood ash.
It is present in many other organic and inorganic fertilizers, but since it is not considered an important element, its content can be very high, or it can be zero, depending on where the raw materials for making fertilizers were taken from. It is simply not added or removed on purpose.
The effect of iodine on seedlings
If used correctly, it will become a reliable assistant for us at all stages of growing tomatoes right up to the appearance of the ovaries - it is not recommended to use it later. As a result of the influence of iodine, the tomato yield increases, their development accelerates, and resistance to diseases and pests increases.
Nutrient Absorption
Those who write that iodine is a nutritional supplement for tomato seedlings are wrong.It helps to better absorb nutrients from soil, air, and fertilizers. It helps process nitrogen so well that there is no need for additional doses. This does not mean that you can treat the seedlings with an iodine solution and not feed them with nitrogen at all - it does not replace nitrogen fertilizing, but simply helps to absorb nutrients to the fullest.
Help fight disease
Iodine has a powerful bactericidal effect. It is used for stimulation and disinfection of seeds, for the treatment and prevention of late blight, various rots, spots, and fungal diseases. It has been noticed that tomatoes treated with iodine solution rarely suffer from viruses. A plant infected with a virus can only be destroyed so that it does not infect its neighbors - there is simply no cure for viruses today. But iodine as a preventive measure is an excellent remedy.
Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes are relatives, their pests and diseases are similar. If you have a small garden and there is no way to swap crops, then in addition to treating the soil with copper-containing preparations in the fall or early spring, you can water the soil with an iodine solution.
Improving fruit quality
In the process of watering tomato seedlings with iodine solution, it was noticed that it promotes early flowering and ripening of fruits. Further experiments only confirmed this guess. Iodine prevents tomato seedlings from stretching, and in adult plants it helps eliminate lethargy and yellowing of leaves. It stimulates and strengthens the plant's immune system.
If for plants iodine in itself is not particularly important, then for a person its role is difficult to overestimate. Root and foliar treatments of plants with iodine significantly increase its content in tomatoes, which are one of the suppliers of this element for our body.
The use of iodine when growing seedlings
Here we present several popular recipes for the preparation and use of iodine-containing solutions.
- In small quantities this substance is a helper and medicine, in large quantities it is a poison and a toxic substance. Use it in reasonable doses.
Do not be afraid to treat the plant and soil with iodine solution - in water it is in such a low concentration that it cannot burn either the leaves or the roots.
Soaking seeds before planting
One drop of iodine is dissolved in a liter of water and the tomato seeds are soaked for 6 hours before planting. It disinfects planting material and stimulates sprouts to peck.
Processing tomato seedlings
This treatment is carried out no earlier than a week after the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. The solution is prepared in one of the following ways:
- Dissolve 1 drop of iodine in 3 liters of water;
- Dissolve 2 drops in 2 liters of water and 0.5 liters of milk.
Early in the morning, water the tomato seedlings with a solution from a watering can with a strainer so that the moisture gets on the leaves. You just need to lightly moisten the soil and leaves.
Watering the soil before planting seedlings
Dissolve three drops of iodine in ten liters of water and water the soil generously the day before planting the seedlings. This solution will disinfect the soil and improve the survival rate of plants.
Conclusion
We may also need iodine after planting tomatoes in the ground to fight diseases and eliminate negative stress factors. Watch a short video:
