Producing 4–7 kg of tomatoes per stand is achievable — but only with consistent, efficient irrigation that supports healthy root development and sustained fruiting.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step

1. Understand Tomato Water Needs

Tomatoes are deep-rooted plants that need steady soil moisture — not flooding.
The crop’s yield depends on maintaining the right soil moisture balance throughout its growth stages:

Growth Stage	Water Need	Key Focus
Seedling (0–3 weeks)	Moderate	Keep soil moist, not wet. Avoid damping-off.
Vegetative (3–6 weeks)	High	Support canopy growth and root expansion.
Flowering & Fruit Set (6–10 weeks)	Very High	Moisture stress here = flower drop.
Fruiting & Harvest (10+ weeks)	Steady	Maintain uniform moisture for large, firm fruits.

2. Choose the Right Irrigation System

For small and medium farms, drip irrigation is the best option to achieve high yield per stand.

Drip Irrigation

• Water Efficiency: Delivers water directly to the root zone.
  
• Fertilizer Efficiency: You can apply fertilizer through the drip line (fertigation).
  
• Consistency: Prevents blossom end rot and fruit cracking caused by uneven watering.
  

Setup:

• Drip emitters spaced 30–40 cm apart.
  
• Flow rate: 1–1.5 liters/hour per emitter.
  
• Run system for 30–45 minutes daily depending on soil type and weather.
  

Alternative (if no drip system):

• Furrow Irrigation: Make furrows between ridges. Water every 3–4 days. Avoid flooding the base of the plant.
  
• Watering Cans (Manual): For small plots, apply 1–2 liters per stand daily, morning or evening.
  

3. Irrigation Scheduling

Timing and consistency matter more than volume.
A simple rule: “Light and frequent watering beats heavy and rare watering.”

Suggested Schedule (for Drip System):

• Morning (6–8 am): 30–45 mins.
  
• Evening (5–6:30 pm): 15–20 mins if soil dries fast.
  
• Skip irrigation after heavy rainfall; resume once topsoil dries.
  

If using furrows or cans:

• Water every 2 days during dry spells.
  
• Every 3–4 days during humid or cool weather.
  

Use your finger to test soil moisture — it should be moist up to 4–6 inches deep.

4. Combine Irrigation with Fertigation

For yield above 4 kg/stand, water alone isn’t enough — integrate nutrients into the irrigation cycle.

• Week 3–6: Apply NPK 15-15-15 or 20-10-10 through irrigation every 7–10 days.
  
• Week 6–10: Add calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate to support fruiting.
  
• After Week 10: Reduce nitrogen, focus on potassium and calcium for firmness and shelf life.
  

Always flush lines after fertilization to avoid clogging.

5. Mulching for Moisture Retention

Cover the soil surface with dry grass, straw, or black plastic mulch.
This:

• Reduces water evaporation by up to 50%.
  
• Keeps root zone cooler and prevents weed competition.
  
• Maintains uniform moisture critical for fruit swelling.
  

6. Common Irrigation Mistakes to Avoid

1. Flooding: Leads to root rot and nutrient leaching.
   
2. Irregular Watering: Causes blossom end rot and fruit cracking.
   
3. Wet Leaves: Water on leaves encourages fungal diseases. Always irrigate at the base.
   
4. Late Evening Watering: Keeps leaves wet overnight — perfect for blight infection.
   
5. No Drainage: Standing water suffocates roots. Ensure beds or ridges have slope for runoff.
   

7. Field Example

A ¼ acre tomato farm in Rivers State using drip irrigation + mulch + fertigation consistently produced 5.2–6.5 kg per stand with 3,000 plants.
That’s 15–18 metric tons per quarter acre — the difference was consistent water management and precise feeding.

Summary Formula for 4–7 kg Yield

Practice	Frequency	Purpose
Drip irrigation	Twice daily (30–45 mins)	Uniform soil moisture
Fertigation	Weekly	Balanced nutrient delivery
Mulching	Continuous	Moisture retention
Soil moisture check	Daily	Avoid under/over watering

Final Tip:
Tomatoes are like babies — they don’t like stress. Once they experience water stress, yield potential drops permanently. Keep the moisture steady, and you’ll get your 4–7 kg per stand.

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1. 2-Week Irrigation + Fertigation Schedule for Padma Tomatoes

Basic Setup Requirements

• Irrigation System: Drip (recommended)
  
• Emitter Flow Rate: 1–1.5 L/hr per stand
  
• Water Quality: pH 6–7, low salinity
  
• Mulching: Black or straw mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
  

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Weeks 1–2: Seedling Establishment

Objective: Root development & seedling acclimatization

Parameter	Schedule	Notes
Irrigation	2x daily (morning & evening) for 20–25 mins	Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy
Fertigation	– Day 5: Apply 5g/L NPK 15-15-15 solution via drip or watering can- Day 10: 5g/L calcium nitrate	Strengthens root and stem
Tips	Maintain soil moisture 70–80%. Avoid overwatering to prevent damping off.

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Weeks 3–4: Vegetative Growth

Objective: Build canopy, strong stems, and root zone expansion

Parameter	Schedule	Notes
Irrigation	2x daily (30–40 mins each)	Deep watering promotes strong roots
Fertigation	– Weekly: NPK 20-10-10 @ 4 kg per 200L tank (applied twice/week)- Add Humate or seaweed extract once/week	Encourages leaf and branch growth
Tips	Begin staking or trellising now. Keep leaves dry to reduce disease.

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Weeks 5–6: Pre-Flowering Stage

Objective: Prepare plant for flowering and fruit set

Parameter	Schedule	Notes
Irrigation	2x daily (40 mins morning, 20 mins evening)	Maintain consistent soil moisture
Fertigation	– NPK 15-15-15 @ 4 kg/200L twice a week- Add calcium nitrate (2 kg/200L) weekly	Builds flower strength, prevents early blossom drop
Tips	Avoid water stress now — it permanently affects yield potential.

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Weeks 7–8: Flowering & Fruit Set

Objective: Support pollination and fruit development

Parameter	Schedule	Notes
Irrigation	2x daily (40 mins both sessions)	Steady moisture — don’t let soil dry out
Fertigation	– Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) @ 3 kg/200L weekly- Calcium nitrate (CaNO₃) @ 2 kg/200L weekly- Micronutrient mix (boron, magnesium) once/week	Boosts fruit set & quality
Tips	Avoid overhead watering. Pollination improves under mild morning watering.

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Weeks 9–10: Fruit Expansion Stage

Objective: Fruit bulking, size, and firmness

Parameter	Schedule	Notes
Irrigation	2x daily (45 mins each)	Maintain deep, even moisture to prevent fruit cracking
Fertigation	– Potassium sulfate (SOP) @ 3 kg/200L twice/week- Add calcium nitrate @ 2 kg/200L once/week	High potassium = larger fruits
Tips	Monitor soil EC — excess nitrogen now delays ripening. Reduce NPK usage.

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Weeks 11–12: Ripening & Harvest

Objective: Uniform ripening and sweetness improvement

Parameter	Schedule	Notes
Irrigation	1x daily (30 mins morning only)	Reduce water slightly to enhance flavor & firmness
Fertigation	– Potassium nitrate @ 2 kg/200L once/week- Foliar calcium spray (1%) every 7 days	Improves color, reduces post-harvest loss
Tips	Avoid heavy watering before harvest — it causes splitting and soft fruits. Harvest every 2–3 days.

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Summary Snapshot

Growth Stage	Watering Frequency	Fertilizer Focus	Main Goal
Weeks 1–2	Light & frequent	NPK 15-15-15, CaN	Root growth
Weeks 3–4	Deep 2x daily	NPK 20-10-10	Vegetative growth
Weeks 5–6	Consistent	NPK + CaN	Flower prep
Weeks 7–8	Steady	KNO₃ + CaN + Micronutrients	Fruit set
Weeks 9–10	Uniform deep	K₂SO₄ + CaN	Fruit bulking
Weeks 11–12	Light daily	KNO₃ + Foliar Ca	Ripening

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Extra Professional Tips

1. Drip Maintenance: Flush lines weekly to prevent clogging.
   
2. Water pH: Maintain between 6.0–7.0 for optimal nutrient absorption.
   
3. Mulch: Retains soil moisture and reduces weed pressure.
   
4. Record Keeping: Track water time, pressure, and fertigation dosage — consistency builds yield.
   
5. Soil Testing: Do it every 2–3 months to adjust your fertigation mix.
   

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Expected Yield (under good management):
4–7 kg per stand (≈25–40 tons per hectare)