The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service

Transplant Water Fertilizers

The application of fertilizers in the transplant water has been discouraged because of the lack of crop response and the potential for crop injury from fertilizer salts. However, early-season growth of greenhouse transplants is occasionally slower than that from plant-bed plants. This slower growth has resulted in renewed interest in transplant water fertilizers.

Numerous on-farm tests have been conducted with several fertilizer treatments in all the flue-cured tobacco-producing states. The following summary statements can be made concerning the results of the 4-year study:

• High-phosphorus transplant water treatments often stimulated early-season growth.
• Growth differences among treatments usually disappeared by flowering and there were usually no differences observed in time of flowering.
• Yield and quality were not affected by transplant water treatments at any location.
• Float water is nutritionally acceptable for use as transplant water. However, typical nutrient levels are not sufficient to affect early-season growth.
• Similar field responses to transplant water treatments were observed for plant-bed and greenhouse transplants.

Based on these studies, it is likely that some fertilizers -- particularly those high in phosphorus -- will enhance early-season growth. However, it is doubtful that these fertilizers will promote earlier harvest. It is also unlikely that yield or quality will be enhanced.

It is important to remember that there is a level of risk associated with any product, particularly a fertilizer, added to the transplant water. These studies dealt with a relatively small number of fertilizers that were applied with high rates of transplant water (about 300 gallons per acre). Fertilizer salt injury to tobacco roots is possible (1) when transplant water fertilizers are not applied according to label directions; (2) when low -- less than 200 gallons per acre -- rates of transplant water are used; (3) when the soil is dry; (4) when the regular fertilizer was applied broadcast or in the low ridge before transplanting; or (5) with transplant water fertilizers that have not been tested on tobacco. Also, adding field-type fertilizers such as 16-0-0 and 30% nitrogen solution to transplant water usually injures or kills transplants.

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 18 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director