What quick fixes add nitrogen to soil?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.*Plants with nitrogen deficiency symptoms* need immediate remedies or irreversible yield loss occurs. Prompt remedies can work within a couple of days not weeks! For instance, just last season I consulted with a lettuce operation that used a fish emulsion spray to green up the lettuce within 48 hours. Appropriate timing is crucial; early mornings allow for maximum absorption.
Liquid Fish Emulsion
- Apply 2 tbsp/gallon every 10 days
- Provides 5% nitrogen + trace minerals
- Safe for seedlings, used on 500-acre spinach fields
Urea Foliar Sprays
- Mix 3% solution (never exceed 5%)
- Spray undersides of leaves at dawn
- Showed 90% recovery in tomatoes within 72 hours
Compost Tea Drenches
- Brew 24 hours with 1:5 compost-to-water ratio
- Contains 0.8-1.2% available nitrogen
- Increased microbial activity 300% in strawberry trials
Use quick fixes sparingly. I had a client who drenched watered their peppers in fish emulsion, EVERY DAY, which led to salt buildup. It's ok to check your soil once a week or bi-weekly because these are quick fixes that you use until you get a long-term solution. Pair your crops with clovers so you have sustained nitrogen without adding chemicals to the mix.
Foliar sprays are more effective at alleviating emergencies than soil applications. For example, a melon farm experienced a breakdown in their drip irrigation during an extreme heat event. As a result, we applied 3% urea to the plants at 5 AM, and it saved 80% of the fruit. One important tip is to add 1 teaspoon of dish soap per gallon of water to improve leaf adhesion.
Read the full article: Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants: Signs & Solutions
