-
Identify Nutrient Deficiency in Plants
Identify the Nutrient Deficiencies on your plants and Buy the Best products
-
Identify Pest & Intects on Plants
Identify Pest & Insects on your plants and Buy the Best products
-
Identify Diseases on Plants
Identify Diseases on your plants and Buy the Best products
Tomato Production Guide: Guide to Producing High-yielding Tomato Crop
- , by Agriplex India
- 17 min reading time
Introduction:
Tomatoes are a versatile and widely enjoyed fruit that can be grown in gardens or even in containers on balconies and patios. If you're eager to cultivate your own delicious tomatoes, this comprehensive guide will take you through the step-by-step process, from selecting the right tomato varieties to harvesting your juicy, sun-ripened crop. Let's dive into the complete steps involved in tomato production.
Climate and Soil Requirements
Tomatoes are incredibly adaptable and can thrive in diverse soil types, including sandy to heavy clay. However, for optimal growth, it's recommended to cultivate tomatoes in well-drained soils such as sandy or red loam, enriched with ample organic matter and maintaining a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0.
Variety Selection:
Choose tomato varieties that suit your growing conditions and culinary preferences. Consider factors such as fruit size, color, taste, disease resistance, and intended use (e.g., slicing, canning, or cherry tomatoes).
Choose best high-yield tomato seeds from Agriplex India
|
State |
Most sold Tomato seeds |
|
Telangana |
Heemsohna Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251), Lakshmi Tomato, Abhilash Tomato, Polyana Tomato |
|
Andhra Pradesh |
Abhilash Tomato, Heemshikhar Tomato, US 440 Tomato, Sikinder Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251) |
|
Karnataka |
Heemsohna Tomato, Abhilash Tomato, US 440 Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251), Heemshikhar Tomato |
|
Maharashtra |
SW 1508, Abhilash Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251), US 440 Tomato, Heemsohna Tomato |
|
Madhya Pradesh |
US 440 Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251),Abhilash Tomato, Heemsohna Tomato, SW 1508 |
|
Tamil Nadu |
Abhilash Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251), US 440 Tomato, Heemsohna Tomato, SW 1508 |
|
Rajasthan |
Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251), TO-3150, Abhilash Tomato, NS 4266, Heemshikhar Tomato, Heemsohna Tomato |
|
Odisha |
Heemsohna Tomato, Saaho Tomato seeds (To 3251), Abhilash Tomato, NS 4266, Heemshikhar Tomato, TO-3150 |
To find more Tomato seeds Click Here
Seed Starting:
Start tomato seeds indoors, 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Fill seed trays or small pots with a well-draining seed starting mix. Plant the seeds at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch and moisten the soil. Place the trays/pots in a warm area with ample sunlight or use artificial grow lights for germination.
Transplanting
Once the tomato seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, it's time to transplant them into larger containers or directly into the garden soil. Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. If transplanting into containers, ensure they have sufficient drainage holes and are large enough to accommodate root growth.
Soil Preparation:
Prepare the soil before transplanting by removing weeds, loosening the soil, and incorporating organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 6 and 7. Conduct a soil test to adjust the pH if necessary. Adequate soil preparation ensures optimal nutrient availability and drainage.
Planting and Spacing:
When planting your tomato seedlings, dig holes that are deep enough to bury the lower part of the stem, including the cotyledon leaves. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top few sets. Space the plants according to the specific variety's recommended spacing guidelines, typically around 18-24 inches apart. Firmly press the soil around the base of each plant for stability.
Watering and Fertilization:
Tomatoes require consistent moisture throughout their growing period. Water the plants deeply, providing about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, depending on weather conditions. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of disease. Apply organic mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and reduce weed growth. Additionally, feed the tomatoes regularly with a balanced fertilizer, following package instructions, to ensure healthy growth and fruit production.
Nutrient Management in Tomato Crop
By implementing effective nutrient management practices, you can provide your tomato crops with the essential elements they need for optimal growth, health, and high yields
The nutrient requirement for hybrids is 200:250:250 kg of NPK per ha. 75 % of P (187.5 kg P which comes to 1172 kg of superphosphate) is applied as basal. The remaining quantity of 200:62.5:250 kg of NPK per ha is applied through fertigation. Every day irrigation should be given for one hour. Along with this, water soluble fertilizers have to be given. This dose is split and given once in 3 days for the entire crop period through fertigation as detailed below.
Source - https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/ferti_schedule.pdf
|
Stage |
Crop stage |
Duration in days |
Fertilizer Grade |
Total Fertilizer (kg/ha) |
Nutrient applied |
||
|
N |
P |
K |
|||||
|
1 |
Transplantingg to plant establishment Stage |
10 |
19:19:19 |
65.78 |
12.5 |
12.5 |
12.5 |
|
13:00:45 |
27.77 |
3.61 |
- |
12.5 |
|||
|
Urea (46%N) |
8.44 |
3.88 |
- |
- |
|||
|
2 |
Flower initiation to lowering |
30 |
12:61:00 |
40.98 |
4.92 |
25 |
- |
|
13.0:45 |
222.22 |
28.89 |
- |
100 |
|||
|
Urea (46%N) |
100.27 |
46.12 |
- |
- |
|||
|
3 |
Flowering to fruit set |
30 |
19:19:19 |
65.78 |
12.5 |
12.5 |
12.5 |
|
13.045 |
138.88 |
18.05 |
- |
62.5 |
|||
|
Urea (46%N) |
63.9 |
29.39 |
- |
- |
|||
|
4 |
Alternate day from picking |
80 |
12:61:00 |
20.49 |
2.46 |
12.5 |
- |
|
13:00:45 |
111.11 |
14.44 |
- |
50 |
|||
|
Urea (46%N) |
50.14 |
23.06 |
- |
- |
|||
Use of Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) for Good Yield
|
PGR product |
Technical content |
Dosage |
Time of application |
|
Amino acids and Nutrients |
2 ml per lit of water |
Flowering , Fruiting, Ripening stage |
|
|
Amino Acids |
2-3 ml per lit of water |
Flowering , Fruiting stage |
|
|
Amino acids & Fulvic acids and Micro Elements,. |
2-3 ml per lit of water
|
Transplanting , Flowering, Fruiting stage |
|
|
Gibberllic acid |
2.5 gm / 100 ltrs water |
Fruiting stage |
|
|
2-3 ml per lit of water
|
5 ml/15 ltrs of water |
Flowering stage , Fruiting stage |
(*DAT – Days after transplanting)
Pest and Insect Management in tomato crop:
|
Pest |
Symptoms |
Control Measures |
|
Whitefly |
Whitefly attack on tomatoes can result in chlorotic spots, yellowing, downward curling, drying of leaves, and serve as a vector for tomato leaf curl disease. |
Install 4 – 6 yellow sticky traps per acre. Spray Verticillium lecanii at 5 ml/lit of water. Spray Actara Insecticide at 0.5 gm/lit of water. Spray Confidor Insecticide at 0.8 – 1 ml/lit of water. |
|
Fruit Borer |
The borer larvae consume the inner content of the fruit by making circular holes on the surface and partially penetrating fruits to consume the inner contents. |
Use Tapas Helic-O-lure with funnel trap at 6 per acre. Spray 2 ml of Plethora Insecticide mixed in 1 lit of water. Spray Cigna Insecticide at 1.5 – 2 ml/lit of water. |
|
Pin worm (Tuta absoluta ) |
Tuta absoluta infestation in tomatoes can cause leaf and stem mining, along with the presence of pinholes on fruits. |
Install 4 – 6 yellow sticky traps per acre. Spray Verticillium lecani at 5 ml/lit of water. Spray Actara Insecticide at 0.5 gm/lit of water. Spray Confidor Insecticide at 0.8 – 1 ml/lit of water. |
|
Leaf Miner |
The presence of serpentine mines on leaves and subsequent drying and dropping of leaves are common symptoms of damage caused by the Serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii) in tomato plants. |
Install 4 – 6 yellow sticky traps per acre. Spray Verticillium lecani at 5 ml/lit of water. Spray Actara Insecticide at 0.5 gm/lit of water. Spray Confidor Insecticide at 0.8 – 1 ml/lit of water. |
|
Mealybug |
Mealybug infestation on tomato causes the presence of white, cottony masses on leaves, stems, and fruit, as well as stunted growth and yellowing of leaves. |
Neem oil 1500 ppm - 2-3 ml per liter of water Beauveria bassiana / Verticillium lecani- 5 gm per liter of water Acephate 75 SP- 1.5 gm per litre of water Imidacloprid 17.8 %SL - 0.4 ml per liter of water |
|
Thrips |
Thrips feeding on tomato plants results in crinkling and curling of leaves due to sap extraction, giving a silvery or bronze appearance. Additionally, affected flower buds become brittle and eventually drop off. |
Imidacloprid - 17.8 % SL- 0.4 ml Acetamaprid -20 %SP- 0.4 gm per litre of water Blue sticky traps - 6 traps per acre Neem oil -1500 ppm - 2-3 ml per liter of water |
|
Red Spider Mite |
Red spider mite infestation on tomato plants leads to affected leaves turning reddish brown and bronzy. In severe cases, the presence of larvae results in silken webbing on the leaves, causing them to wither and dry. The infestation can also impact flower and fruit formation |
Neem oil - 1500 ppm- 5 ml per liter of water EPN Army - 1-2 kg per acre Bayer Oberon - 0.4 ml per liter of water Dhanuka omite - 2.5 ml per lit of water Crystal Abacin - 1ml per liter of water |
|
Root Rot Nematode |
Infected plants may show signs of yellowing of the leaves or chlorosis and wilting.
Presence of small galls on the roots. |
Trichoderma viride- 1ml or 3 gm per liter of water Pseudomonas fluorescence - 1ml or 3 gm per liter of water Paecilomyces lilacinus - (Drenching) - 4 ml per liter of water |
Buy Best Insecticides for Tomato Crop Online at Agriplex India
Common Disease in Tomato
|
Disease |
Symptoms |
Control Measures |
|
Damping Off |
Damping off in tomatoes occurs in two stages: pre-emergence and post-emergence. In the pre-emergence phase, seedlings are killed just before they reach the soil surface, resulting in the complete rotting of the seedlings.In the post-emergence phase, the infection targets the young tissues at the collar level, causing them to become soft, water-soaked, and leading to seedling collapse or toppling over. |
copper oxy chloride - 3 gm per litre of water Trichoderma viride- 1ml / 3gm per liter of water |
|
Bacterial stem and fruit canker |
Spots on leaves, stems, and fruits Wilting of leaves and shoots, cracks and cankers with slimy bacterial ooze, and small water-soaked spots with white halos on fruits that become raised, tan-colored, and rough in the center. |
Blue copper / Blitox ( copper oxy chloride)- 3 gm per litre of water+ streptocycline - 0.1 gm per liter of water |
|
Early Blight |
Small, black lesions on older foliage, which enlarge and develop concentric rings in a bull's eye pattern.Yellowing of surrounding tissue and potential foliage loss in high temperature and humidity conditions. |
Mancozeb- 2.5 gm per liter of water Chlorothalonil - 2gm per liter of water Propiconazole - 2ml per liter of water |
|
Bacterial Leaf Spot |
Small, brown, water-soaked circular spots with a yellowish halo on infected leaves, potentially leading to defoliation on older plants.Water-soaked spots on green fruits that enlarge into raised, irregular, light brown lesions with a rough, scabby surface; ripe fruits are unaffected. |
Blue copper / Blitox ( copper oxy chloride)- 3 gm per liter of water+ streptocycline - 0.1 gm per litre of water |
|
Bacterial Wilt |
Rapid and complete wilting of mature plants, with lower leaves potentially dropping before wilting occurs.Presence of bacterial ooze, appearing as a white streak, when infected plant parts are cut and immersed in clear water. |
Pseudomonas- 1 ml/ 3gm per litre of water Copper oxy chloride -3gm per litre of water |
|
Fusarium wilt |
Veinlet clearing and leaf chlorosis, leading to wilting and death of younger leaves, progressing to complete plant wilting within days.Yellowing of lower leaves, subsequent leaf wilting, browning of vascular system, stunted growth, and plant death. |
Trichoderma viride- 1ml / 3 gm per liter of water Copper oxy chloride -3gm per litre of water |
Buy Best Fungicides for Tomato Crop Online at Agriplex India
Harvesting:
The ideal time to harvest tomatoes varies depending on the specific variety and intended use. Tomato plants generally start producing fruits around two to three months after planting, and it takes another four to six weeks for the fruits to ripen fully.
The yielding starts after 50 to 60 days of sowing. The picking can be done every 10 to 15 days intervals from the date of first picking. A farmer can go for picking about five times until the last harvest.
Yield
- Varieties: 30 - 40 t / ha
- Hybrids: 80 - 95 t / ha
Tags
Blog posts
-
, by Agriplex India Vermicompost: Cultivating Sustainable Agriculture through Nature's Black Gold
Introduction In today's world, sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices are no longer a choice but a necessity. Traditional farming methods often lead to soil degradation,...
-
, by Agriplex India The Role of Cocopeat in Modern Agriculture: A Sustainable Revolution
Introduction In recent years, agriculture has undergone a significant transformation, driven by the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. One of the key innovations...
-
, by Agriplex India Late Blight in Potatoes: Symptoms, Causes and Management
late blight, caused by the notorious pathogen Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most destructive diseases in potato farming. It is responsible for devastating crop...
-
, by Agriplex India Tikka Disease in Groundnut: Symptoms, Causes And Management Strategies
Groundnut, also known as peanut, is an essential oilseed crop with global significance. However, groundnut cultivation is not without its challenges, and one of the...
-
, by Agriplex India Sheath Blight in Paddy Crops: Symptoms, Causes, Management Strategies
Paddy, also known as rice, is one of the world's most vital staple crops, feeding billions of people worldwide. However, paddy cultivation faces numerous challenges,...
