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Tomato is a frequent and welcome guest on our table at any time of the year. Of course, the most delicious vegetables are self-grown. Here we control the entire process of tomato development – we ourselves choose how to fertilize plants, how to deal with pests and diseases, at what stage of ripeness to collect fruits. Of course, we want tomatoes to get sick less, ripen faster and bear fruit abundantly until frost. On the way from sowing seeds for seedlings to harvesting, many worries await us, many troubles lie in wait. 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, whether it should be used.
Importance of iodine for tomato
Iodine is not considered a vital element for plant organisms; the mechanism of its effect on the flora is poorly understood. But the fact that such an impact exists and it is beneficial is beyond doubt.
Iodine in the life of the tomato itself does not play a decisive role. They do not need to be processed at all – there is simply no such thing as plant iodine deficiency. We can say that this element acts as a catalyst – it stimulates better absorption of nutrients, activates the plant’s own defense mechanisms.
Tomatoes can receive iodine from the soil, fertilizers, with root, foliar treatments. The need for these treatments varies depending on the soil and chemicals you use. The following soils are considered the richest in the content of this element:
- Tundra peatlands;
- Krasnozems;
- Chernozems;
- chestnut soil.
Soils poor in iodine:
- Podzolic;
- Gray forest;
- Serozems;
- Salt licks;
- Burozems.
Knowing what kind of soil in your area can determine whether to apply iodine is mandatory or only when problems arise. It must be taken into account that it is contained in:
- phosphate rock;
- manure;
- peat;
- peat ash;
- wood ash.
It is present in many other organic and inorganic top dressings, 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 the manufacture of fertilizers were taken from. It is simply not specifically added or removed.
The effect of iodine on seedlings
If used correctly, it will become a reliable assistant for us at all stages of growing a tomato up to the appearance of ovaries – it is not recommended to use it later. As a result of the influence of iodine, the tomato crop increases, their development accelerates, and resistance to diseases and pests increases.
Nutrient absorption
Those who write that iodine is a top dressing for tomato seedlings are wrong. It helps to better absorb nutrients from the soil, air, fertilizers. It helps to process nitrogen so well that the need for additional doses of it disappears. This does not mean that it is possible to treat the seedlings with iodine solution and not feed them with nitrogen at all – it does not replace nitrogen supplementation, but simply helps to fully absorb nutrients.
Help fight disease
Iodine has a powerful bactericidal effect. It is used for stimulation, disinfection of seeds, for the treatment and prevention of late blight, various rot, spots, fungal diseases. It has been noticed that tomatoes treated with iodine solution rarely get sick with viruses. A plant affected by a virus can only be destroyed so that it does not infect its neighbors – there are simply no cures for viruses today. But iodine as a preventive measure is an excellent remedy.
Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes are relatives, pests and diseases are similar. If you have a small garden, there is no way to swap crops, then in addition to cultivating the soil with copper-containing preparations in autumn or early spring, the soil can be shed with iodine solution.
Improved fruit quality
In the process of watering tomato seedlings with a solution of iodine, it was noticed that it promotes early flowering and fruit ripening. Further experiments only confirmed this conjecture. Iodine prevents tomato seedlings from stretching, and in adult plants it helps to eliminate lethargy, yellowness of the leaves. It stimulates and strengthens the immune system of the plant.
If for plants iodine itself is not of particular importance, then for humans its role can hardly be overestimated. 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 in growing seedlings
Here we will give some popular recipes for the manufacture and use of iodine-containing solutions.
- In small quantities, this substance is a helper and a 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 a solution of iodine – in water it is in such a low concentration that neither the leaves nor the root can burn.
Soaking seeds before planting
One drop of iodine is dissolved in a liter of water and tomato seeds are soaked for 6 hours before planting. It disinfects the planting material and stimulates the germination of sprouts.
Processing of tomato seedlings
This treatment is carried out not 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, pour the tomato seedlings with a solution from a watering can with a strainer so that moisture gets on the leaves. It is only necessary to slightly moisten the soil and leaves.
Watering the soil before planting seedlings
Dissolve three drops of iodine in ten liters of water, pour the soil abundantly the day before planting the seedlings. Such a solution will disinfect the soil, improve plant survival.
Conclusion
We may also need iodine after planting tomatoes in the ground to fight diseases, to eliminate negative stress factors. Watch a short video: