Cultivation - Life Cycle of Tomato
Description:
Hi! , welcome to Tutorialspoint. In this tutorial, we will talk about the cultivation process of Tomato Crop. Tomato has different names in different languages. The Botanical or scientific name of Tomato is Lycopersicon Esculentum and it belongs to the family Solaneace.
The plant consists of one stem, which is long and skinny, and rather flimsy. The tomato fruit varies in shape and size. A typical ripened tomato is red and round. The fruit can vary in color from orange to yellow. The shape can vary from round to cylindrical or tube looking. The size of the tomato also varies. Cherry tomato plants produce very small tomatoes, while garden tomato plants produce typical tomatoes used in household kitchens.
Tomato plants can grow as tall as ten feet, but an average tomato plant grows about 3 feet tall.
Let us now see the required climatic conditions for tomato crop cultivation. Generally, Tomato is a warm season crop. Low temperature causes deformation of fruits. A long and warm growing season is desirable for successful Tomato production. A daily mean temperature of 21oc to 30oc is most favorable for optimum growth and yield. Tomato seeds germinate well at 22oc.
The different stages involved in the cultivation process of Tomato Crop are −
- Land preparation
- Drip irrigation arrangement
- Seedlings cultivation in nursery
- Transplantation
- Pest and disease management
- Flowering and fruit formation
- Harvesting and yield
Let us now see how the land is prepared for Tomato crop cultivation.
Land preparation
Tomato crop can be grown in all types of soil varying from light sandy to heavy clay. However, loam and sandy soil of normal and higher status are best suited for Tomato cultivation. The soil should be fertile and well-drained. Tomato crop can grow in adverse conditions also as in soil having high pH Tomato has great adoptability. Tomato crop is a 10 to 12 months’ crop so the soil should be thoroughly prepared by ploughing 4 to 5 times before transplanting the seedlings. After ploughing, we have to add Bulky organic manure like well rotten cow dung or compost. The manure is to be incorporated evenly on the soil. Tomato is a heavy feeder crop. Therefore, a balanced application of manure and fertilizers is very important for successful crop production. Well rotten farmyard manure or compost (200-250 q/ha) should be incorporated at the time of field preparation. The crop should be supplemented with 100-120 kgs of nitrogen and 50-60 kgs of phosphorus and 50-60 kgs of potash/ha. Land preparation is now complete. We will now arrange drip irrigation for the field.
Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly into the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. Overhead irrigation wets the plants but produces runoff. In contrast, drip irrigation is a more controlled irrigation method. It works by exposing the roots to a direct supply of water. Drip irrigation system releases water in a slow and steady fashion and a controlled amount of water is supplied to plants at regular intervals.
Seedlings cultivation in nursery
The pro trays are filled with coco peat and a small depression (0.5 cm) is made with fingertip in the center for sowing. One seed per cell is sown and covered with medium. Coco peat has high moisture retention capacity, hence there is no need for irrigation until germination. After sowing, 10 trays are kept one over the other for 3 to 6 days. The entire stacks are covered with polyethylene sheet to conserve moisture until germination. On germination of seedlings, trays are shifted to net house and spread over the beds to avoid evaporation.
The trays are irrigated every day depending on the prevailing weather conditions using a fine sprinkling rose can or hose-pipe fitted with rose. Trays are drenched with fungicides (copper oxy chloride) as a precautionary measure against seedling mortality. Spraying of 0.3 per cent (3g /l) water-soluble fertilizer at 12 and 20 days after sowing helps enhance the growth of the seedlings.
The trays are provided with protective cover from rain by covering with polyethylene sheets in the form of low tunnel during rains. Systemic insecticides are sprayed 7-10 days after germination and before transplanting for managing the insect vectors. The seedlings are ready for transplanting in about 21-42 days Once the nursery cycle is complete, trays and shade net are removed and stored in a safe place for reuse in the next season.
Let us understand the transplantation process in field.
Transplantation
The seedlings are ready in 4-5 weeks for transplanting. This is when they attain a height of 12-15 cms with 3 to 4 leaves. Harden the seedlings by withholding irrigation. Uproot the seedlings carefully without causing injury to the roots.
Transplanting should be done during evening hours followed by irrigation. Firmly press the soil around the seedlings. Care should be taken not to injure the roots of seedlings. Thereafter, seedlings should be transplanted maintaining distances of 75 cms between lines and 60 cms between seedlings in lines. Irrigation water should be supplied at 10-15 days’ intervals if there is deficit moisture in soil or the soil becomes dry. The soil should be made friable with the help of Drip Irrigation. Weeds have to be removed regularly.
Pest and disease management
About 16 species of insects and 1 species of mite can cause harm to the Tomato crop. Among them, the main enemy of Tomato is the Tomato Shoot and Fruit Borer. The insects bore the twigs and fruits of Tomato. The infested twigs and fruits should be collected and be destroyed. Malathion or Sumithion can be sprayed by mixing 10 mls chemical with 10 ltrs of water.
- Tomato Fruit Borer can be controlled by spraying Malathion. Monocrotophos can be sprayed to control Aphids.The major diseases that can attack Tomato Crop are Alternaria Blight, Damping Off and Bacterial Wilt.
- To control Alternaria Blight, drench the soil with a mixture of Bavistin.
- To control damping off, avoid over-watering and drench the beds with Capton or Thiram at 5-7 days after transplantation.
- To control Bacterial Wilt, seed treatment with Streptocycline for 90 minutes is suggested
Flowering and fruit formation
Tomato plant flowers at 30-40 days after transplanting. Along with producing tomatoes, tomato plants produce little yellow flowers, usually no bigger than 1 inch in diameter. These flowers may turn into fruits (tomatoes), if given the right amount of water, sunlight and nutrients; the flowers also have the potential to stay as yellow flowers forever.
Harvesting and Yield
Tomato fruits should be collected before the seeds become hard. The Tomato fruits are harvested when they attain full size and color but before they start ripening. Once the fruits attain the desired size and color, and before they lose their bright glossy appearance and become dull, they need to be harvested. The fruits are edible from the time they are at the quarter stage of growth until they are near ripe.
Tenderness, bright color and glossy appearance of fruit is when the fruits are at the optimum stage of harvesting. When the fruits look dull, it is an indication of maturity and loss of quality. The yield varies from season to season, variety to variety and location to location. However, 40 to 50 tones/ha of healthy fruits of Tomato can be obtained generally.
The fruits are harvested from the plant by cutting with small pruning shears or sharp knives. The fleshy calyx and a short piece of stalk are left attached to the fruit.
Harvest the Tomato when the skin of the fruit is shiny and unwrinkled. Tomato can be stored for up to two weeks in humid conditions no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing in the refrigerator can help preserve the fruits for several days.