To investigate the feasibility of one-time root-zone fertilization and the effects of one-time nitrogen (N) application positions in root zones on tomato growth, an experiment was conducted with the following treatments: a no-N control (CK), nine one-time root-zone fertilization treatments in specific root zones (ORZF) (orthogonal combinations of three horizontal distances [L]: L5: 5 cm, L7.5: 7.5 cm, L10: 10 cm; and three depths [D]: D5: 5 cm, D10: 10 cm, D15: 15 cm), and one drip fertigation treatment (FP). Key results indicated: ①N application significantly enhanced tomato fruit yield, the contents of soluble solids, soluble sugar, and titratable acid content, and shoot N accumulation. Under two fertilization methods, no significant differences in yield were observed between ORZF treatments (L7.5D10、L7.5D15、L10D10、L10D15) and FP. Most ORZF treatments showed no significant difference in the contents of soluble solids and soluble sugar. Titratable acid content was significantly higher in ORZF treatments than in FP, accompanied by a significantly decreased sugar-acid ratio, whereas no significant difference was found in sugar-acid ratio between L7.5D10 and FP. All D10 treatments exhibited significantly higher above-ground plant N accumulation and N apparent recovery efficiency than FP. Economic analysis revealed that ORZF reduced total production cost compared with FP, and L7.5D10 increased net profit by 9,000 yuan per ha relative to FP. In ORZF treatments, N placement markedly influenced yield, quality, and N utilization. Yield exhibited a change with horizontal distance and depth of N placement in the order of L7.5 > L10 > L5 and D10 > D15 > D5. The contents of soluble solids and soluble sugars in fruit decreased with increasing horizontal distance. Above-ground N accumulation and N apparent recovery efficiency followed the order D10 > D15 > D5. In conclusion, one-time N application in root zones is feasible for tomato cultivation, with the combination of 7.5 cm horizontal distance and 10 cm depth (L7.5D10) identified as a recommended reference position and further validation is still required across diverse tomato cultivars and cultivation conditions in future studies.