Crop management (Tomatoes)

 1. Water Use and Requirement

 Insufficient water at any growth stage will reduce yield and fruit quality. Tomato is most sensitive to water deficit during flowering, somewhat sensitive immediately after transplanting and during fruit development, and least sensitive during vegetative growth.

However tomatoes do not like water logged conditions.

Any type of irrigation can be used spanning from surface, sprinkler, drip, water-tubing to just physical water fetching from the water source to pouring it on the plants in the garden. Either system will be used depending on individual farmer’s ability. Water conservation at the farm, will be through water catchment, rain water run-off, rain water harvesting, underground water pumping

2. Mulching

Mulching with appropriate material is used to cover the soil surface. Mulching is necessary for growing tomatoes because it reduces leaching of nutrients, conserves soil moisture and warmth as well as suppressing weeds.

 

3. Staking

Staking tomato plants with bamboo poles, wood stakes, or other sturdy material provides support and keeps the fruit and foliage off the ground. Staking can increase fruit yield and size, reduce fruit rot, and ease harvesting.

Indeterminate varieties should be staked to facilitate pruning, pinching, harvesting, and other cultural practices. Determinate varieties should be staked in the wet season to prevent fruit contact with the soil.

Many staking arrangements are possible. Plants should be fixed securely to the stake or string supports, beginning about two weeks after transplanting. Rice straw, plastic strips, horticultural fixing tape, or other materials can be used for fixing. Fixing should be done so fruit clusters are supported.

4. Pruning

Pruning or selective removal of side shoots to limit plant growth may cause fruit to mature earlier and grow to greater size and uniformity. Pruning improves air circulation within the canopy, which reduces foliar diseases, and facilitates spraying and harvesting.

Indeterminate varieties should always be pruned so they do not produce too much vegetative growth. The degree of pruning varies according to the season. Along with pruning is pinching which is the removal of unwanted flowers to control the number of fruits required.

5. Weeding

Weeds have to be removed from the tomato garden because they compete with the tomato vine for light, nutrients and water. They also host diseases and pests. The weeds are removed from the tomato garden by hand or hoe.

6. Soil Nutrients and Fertilizer Need

Tomatoes being greedy feeders will certainly need fertilizer application right from beginning to when they have started fruiting. Farm yard manure and compos are ideal for fertilizing a tomato plantation under organic production purposes.

Liquid organic fertilizers in form of the plant and compost teas will be necessary especially after fruit setting to stimulate more fruit formation.

 As for non-organic production, several inorganic fertilizers will be added to boost the yields.