Hello Rajkumar
Cultivation of tomato
Three different types of tomato plants can be distinguished:
1.tall or indeterminate type
2.semi-bush or semi-indeterminate type
3.bush or determinate type
Advantages of tomato:
relatively short duration vegetable crop
short or long production period
can be grown as an uncovered field crop and in protected cultivation
fits easily into different cropping systems
has high economic value
has high micronutrient content
fruits can be processed, dried and canned
Temperature and light
Tomato requires a relatively cool, dry climate for high yield and premium quality. However, it is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions from temperate to hot and humid tropical. The optimum temperature for most varieties lies between 21 and 24 °C.
Soil
Tomato grows well on most mineral soils that have proper water holding capacity and aeration, and are free of salt. It prefers deep, welldrained, sandy loam soils. The upper layer needs to be permeable. Soil depth of 15 to 20 cm is needed to grow a healthy crop. In heavy clay soils, deep ploughing allows better root penetration.
pH --- 5.5 – 6.8
Cultivating tomato on raised beds, ridges or furrows facilitates drain-
age of water and irrigation.
Initially planted in nursery and Transplant the seedling to the field 3 to 6 weeks after sowing.
About 20 mm of water per week is needed under cool conditions,
about 70 mm during hot and dry periods. Watering plays a major role in attaining uniform maturity and reducing the incidence of blossom end rot, a physiological disorder associated with irregular water supply and the resulting calcium deficiency in the fruit during its enlargement.
Pruning is important for tomatoes, especially for thick bush and indeterminate types. It improves the light penetration and air circulation.
Pruning the side-shoots is called nipping. Pruning the tops of the stem
is called heading.
Staking- Staking or trellising tomato plants with bamboo poles, wood stakes, or
other sturdy material provides support and keeps the fruit and foliage
off the ground. Staking will increase fruit yield and size, reduce fruit
rot, and make spraying and harvesting easier.
Harvesting on time and proper post-harvest treatment of the fruit is
very important. The high water content of tomatoes makes them vul-
nerable to post-harvest losses. Over-mature fruit gets easily damaged
or starts rotting. The first measure to help limit the extent of post-
harvest damage is harvesting at the right moment. It will be necessary
to harvest several times as the fruit of tomato plants do not all ripen at
the same time. The first tomato harvest is possible 3 to 4 months after
sowing. Harvesting will continue for about one month depending on
climate, diseases, pests, and the cultivar planted. During one season
tomatoes must be harvested 4 to 15 times.
Regards
Ashwini
