TOMATO

LYCOPERSICUM ESCOLANTUM
 INTRODUCTION
Tomato is one of the most widely grown
vegetables in the world. The popularity of
tomato among consumer's has made it an
important source of vitamins A and C in
diets.

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CLIMATE AND SOIL REQUIREMENTS
Tomatoes grow best in temperature 20–27°C. Fruit setting is
poor when average temperature exceed 30°C or fall below
10°C. Tomatoes prefer well drained soil because they are
sensitive to water logging. Optimum soil pH is 6.0–7.0.
Tomatoes benefit from crop rotation. Growing tomato after
paddy rice, for example, reduces the incidence of disease
and nematodes. Avoid planting tomato in a field planted
the previous season with tomato, pepper, eggplant or other
solanaceous crop. These crops share some insect and
disease problems. 2
 CHOOSING A VARIETY
Selecting the best variety is critical for success.
There are many factors to consider:

Fruit type. Tomato varieties are grouped into one of three market
classes:

1. Fresh Market–fruit are usually red but vary in color, shape and
size.
2. Cherry–a small fruited (less than 30g) fresh market type borne on
long clusters, and:
3. Processing–fruit have intense red color and high solids content
suitable for making paste, catsup, or sauce. 3
Plant habit
Tomato varieties are classified by plant habit into determinate,
semi-determinate, and indeterminate. Determinate varieties are
short and bushy, ending growth with a flower cluster. Semi-
determinate varieties are taller but still have a defined growth
pattern. Indeterminate varieties grow continuously, producing
leaves and flowers over an extended period, which is beneficial for
managing fluctuating market prices. They require staking,
pruning, and more labor.
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Disease resistance
Common diseases affecting tomatoes in tropical and
subtropical regions include bacterial wilt, bacterial spot,
tomato yellow leaf curl virus, fusarium wilt, and gray leaf
spot. Some tomato varieties have resistance to these
diseases, and this information is typically available on
seed packets.

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Adaption to season
Most tomato varieties thrive in the dry season, but some can
set fruit at temperatures above 30°C, making them suitable
for the hot season when market prices are higher. AVRDC has
developed varieties for the hot, wet season, but successful
cultivation during this time requires specific management
practices, such as using growth regulators, raised beds,
grafting, or shelters to handle excess rainfall.
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Hybrid or inbred
Hybrid tomato varieties are increasingly popular due
to their higher yields and more uniform fruit compared
to inbred lines. However, hybrids can be more
expensive, and their seeds cannot be saved for future
planting, unlike inbred varieties, whose seeds can be
harvested and reused.
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 SEEDLING PRODUCTION
To plant one hectare of indeterminate variety seeds, about
250 g (70,000 seeds) is needed, while 125 g is sufficient for
determinate varieties. Seeds should be sown 0.5 cm deep,
with seedlings emerging in 8 days at optimal temperatures
of 20–30°C. Growing seedlings in individual containers leads
to healthier plants compared to those in flats, which can
suffer root damage during transplanting. AVRDC cultivates
33,333 plants/ha for indeterminate varieties (pruned) and
16,666 plants/ha for determinate varieties (usually not
pruned). It’s advised to sow double the required seeds to
ensure enough plants. 8
 SEEDLING TRAY METHOD
For the seedling tray method, fill the holes
with a well-draining medium like peat moss,
commercial potting soil, or a mix of sand,
compost, and burnt rice hulls. Place the trays
on benches in a sheltered area. Sow 2 seeds per
hole and thin the seedlings 2–3 days after the
first true leaves emerge.
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 SEEDBED METHOD
For the seedbed method, select a well-drained area not recently
planted with solanaceous crops. Burn a 3–4 cm layer of rice straw
and create a raised seedbed (15 cm or higher) to improve drainage
and reduce soilborne diseases. Sow seeds in rows 6 cm apart at a
rate of 750–900 seeds/m², covering with a thin layer of compost or
rice straw mulch. Keep the soil moist to prevent crusting, and thin
seedlings 2–3 days after the first true leaves appear. At the two-leaf
stage, irrigate with a diluted fertilizer solution, but avoid over-
fertilizing. To prevent damping-off, apply fungicides like Ridomil
Gold, and treat seeds with broad-spectrum fungicides. Control
insect pests like whiteflies and thrips with imidacloprid and
consider using fine mesh netting to protect seedlings from
infestation.
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 TRANSPLANTING
Harden seedlings by reducing water and exposing them to
sunlight 6–9 days before transplanting. Water them
thoroughly about 12 hours prior to planting. Ideal seedlings
are 4 weeks old, vigorous, and in the four- or five-leaf stage.
Transplant in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day to reduce
shock, ensuring cotyledons remain above the soil. For tall,
thin seedlings, bury them deeper. Firmly press soil around
the roots and water the base to settle the soil. Plant spacing
varies: for indeterminate varieties (33,333 plants/ha), use two
rows per 1-m-wide bed (60 cm apart) with 40 cm between
plants; for determinate varieties (16,666 plants/ha), use one 11
row per bed with 40 cm spacing.
 FIELD PREPARATION
Shaping land into beds for tomato cultivation facilitates
furrow irrigation and drainage. At AVRDC, beds are
mechanically shaped, about 1 m wide with 50 cm wide
furrows, and vary in height: 20 cm in the dry season
and 35 cm in the wet season. The soil surface is covered
with mulch, such as rice straw or thin polyethylene
sheets, to reduce fertilizer leaching, conserve moisture,
and suppress weeds. If air temperatures exceed 28°C,
rice straw should be added on top of plastic mulch to
prevent overheating. 12
 NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Tomato plants require both organic and chemical fertilizers
for high yields. Nitrogen (N) needs are calculated by
multiplying the target yield (t/ha) by 2.4; phosphorus (P₂O₅)
and potassium (K₂O) needs are derived from the N
requirement. For example, a 40 t/ha yield needs 96 kg N, 34
kg P₂O₅, and 140 kg K₂O. Soil tests can determine existing
NPK levels. In the tropics, typical rates are 60–120 kg N/ha,
60–140 kg P₂O₅/ha, and 60–120 kg K₂O/ha, with half applied
at planting and the rest at first fruit-set. Fertilizer uptake
efficiency varies based on application methods and
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management practices.
 WATER MANAGEMENT
Insufficient water at any growth stage can reduce tomato yield
and quality, with the highest sensitivity during flowering,
followed by post-transplanting and fruit development.
Indeterminate varieties are always vulnerable due to
continuous flowering. Tomatoes thrive in moist, well-drained
soil, and timely furrow or drip irrigation is crucial. Wilting
indicates the need for irrigation. Generally, irrigate weekly for
the first month after transplanting, then every 10 days until
harvest. Young transplants require frequent, light watering,
while established plants need less frequent but heavier
irrigation. Avoid waterlogging, and drain flooded fields within14
1–3 days.
 STAKING
Staking or trellising tomato plants with bamboo, wood
stakes, or other sturdy materials supports the plants
and keeps fruit and foliage off the ground, increasing
yield and size while reducing fruit rot. Indeterminate
varieties should be staked for easier pruning and
harvesting, while determinate varieties need staking in
the wet season to prevent soil contact. Plants should be
secured to the stakes or string supports about two
weeks after transplanting using materials like rice straw
or horticultural tape, ensuring that fruit clusters are
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supported.
 PRUNNING
Pruning tomato plants, which involves selectively removing
side shoots, can accelerate fruit maturity and enhance size
and uniformity. It improves air circulation, reducing foliar
diseases and facilitating easier spraying and harvesting.
Indeterminate varieties should be pruned to limit excessive
vegetative growth, with specific pruning strategies varying
by season. At AVRDC, indeterminate plants are pruned to
one stem in the cool-dry season and allowed two branches in
hotter seasons to provide shade and prevent sunburn. To
increase fruit size, growers can keep four fruits per cluster
and pinch off extra flowers when market prices favor larger
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fruit.
 WEED CONTROL

Weeds should be controlled in tomato crops because

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 DISEASE/INSECT CONTROL
Regularly scout your fields to identify disease and
insect issues before taking control measures. If using
pesticides, ensure they are effective, registered for
tomatoes in your country, and follow label
instructions for application rates and timing.
Excessive use can harm you and the environment, so
wear protective clothing to minimize exposure.
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 FRUIT SET GROWTH REGULATOR
High temperatures (over 30°C) and low temperatures
(below 10°C) can reduce tomato fruit-set. Growth
regulators like Tomatotone or Tomatolan, or CPA (4-
chlorophenoxyacetic acid), can enhance yields, especially
in heat-tolerant varieties. Apply the solution to flower
clusters with a paper cup, targeting the calyx, when 3–5
flowers are open. Use each cluster only once to avoid
deformities, and use the diluted solution within a week
for best results.
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 HARVEST
Tomatoes can be harvested at different ripening stages
based on market needs. For long-distance transport, pick
them at the breaker stage (with less than 10% tannish-
yellow, pink, or red). For local sales, later stages are
suitable. To maintain quality, avoid fruit injury, do not
mix damaged and undamaged fruit, and harvest during
cool periods. Shade the harvested fruit, keep it below
25°C, and store in a ventilated area with 85–90%
humidity to reduce water loss.
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 COMMON PEST
APHIDS produce fungus on the tomato leaves they feed
on. This fungus causes the plant to be unable to
photosynthesize.
CUTWORMS are known to cut through the stems of
young tomato plants near or below the soil surface,
causing the plants to wilt and eventually die.
THRIPS feeding on the cell juice of tomatoes, thirps
significantly weaken them and reduce resistance to
diseases.
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 Jones Rural School | 2024

THANK YOU
Presented By : GROUP 1