"My main goal is to establish the critical nitrogen application rates for open-field and high tunnel tomato production in Northeast Mississippi. I hope this research will bridge the current knowledge gaps in nutrient management for commercial vegetable crops and provide new management practices to the vegetable industry," Ayankojo said.

This two-year study is being conducted at the MAFES Northeast Mississippi Branch Experiment Station and covers two growing seasons. Each year, researchers are studying 24 plots of single-bed tomatoes, applying six treatments of different nitrogen rates-ranging from 0 to 240 pounds per acre-to determine optimal application.

Ayankojo emphasized the importance of getting nitrogen levels right for crop health and productivity.

"Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, particularly for leaf development to support photosynthesis and overall plant health. Also, the right balance of nitrogen is important to maximizing yields, as not enough nitrogen can cause a decline in growth and overall production," Ayankojo said.

The study applies nitrogen fertilizer in distinct phases, with 50 percent of the required amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied before planting to influence nutrient availability early in the growing season, and the remaining 50 percent of nitrogen applied at a pre-determined frequency later in the growing season to boost flower formation and fruit set. In addition, irrigation requirements will be calculated based on daily evapotranspiration-the amount of water lost from soil and plant surfaces due to factors like humidity, wind, and temperature-and adjusted for each crop's growth stage. Understanding the risks of improper fertilization, Ayankojo pointed out the dangers of over- or under-fertilizing vegetable crops.

"Too much or too little fertilization can cause a nutrient imbalance, which can hinder absorption of other important nutrients which can lead to their deficiencies, even when fertilizer is applied. Also, excessive fertilizer application can burn the plant's roots causing wilting, stunted growth, and yellowing leaves. This can be especially common in nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which is why it is crucial to incorporate the right amount of fertilizer to tomatoes and other vegetables," Ayankojo said.

Soil sampling will be collected throughout the growing season-before fertilizer, mid-season, and during the first and final harvests. These samples, along with leaf and biomass samples, will undergo detailed nutrient analysis to monitor plant health and growth dynamics.

"Biomass sampling is where we select plot representative plant samples from within the plot and separate these plants into their respective leaves, stems, and fruits. These samples are dried to remove water and then weighed to obtain the dry biomass. After weighing, I can analyze the crop's nutrients and other factors that show insight into the crop's growth dynamics. The purpose is to determine the total nutrient uptake and efficiency based on each nutrient application rate," Ayankojo said.

This research aims to lead the way in nutrient management for commercial vegetable production in Northeast Mississippi.

"This research will help tomato growers to optimize their production system through improved nitrogen management practices to enhance productivity and overall profit. I want these new practices to improve grower's competitiveness at both local and regional market levels, while also paving the way for further research on essential nutrients and diverse cropping systems throughout the state," Ayankojo said."

This research is funded by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.