NITROGEN NUTRITION FOR HOME GARDEN VEGETABLES
Studies conducted on selected vegetable crops in replicated trials using nitrogen fertilizer at the specified rates equivalent to 56 kg, 112 kg, 224 kg, and 448 kg per hectare, produced yield variations. The purpose of this research was to compare the effects of nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) on vegetable production for the home gardener. The yield in numbers of U.S. No. 1 grade bell peppers treated at the rate of 224 kg was higher for the third harvest when compared to the individual yields of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th harvests. The accumulative weight and number of fruit were higher on pepper plants receiving 56 kg than those receiving greater amounts of nitrogen. Tomato yields were higher for the 3rd harvest of plants treated at the 56 kg rate when compared to the yield at greater rates. Maturity of tomatoes was delayed at the nitrogen rate of 448 kg per hectare. At the nitrogen rate of 56 kg, the 2nd harvest of snap beans recorded a higher yield than the individual yields of the other three harvests. Individual head weight of cabbage was the greatest when plants received 448 kg nitrogen as compared to plants treated with less nitrogen.