Grow With Knowledge
Tomato
Introduction
One of the most popularly used vegetables in all Indian cuisines is Tomato, which is equally rich in nutrients as well as taste. The quality of nutrients given to the Tomato plant influences not only its yield but also its nutritional value, taste & storage capacity post-harvest. Tomato plants need regular fertilization of primary nutrients (N, P, K), secondary nutrients (Ca, Mg, S) along with small amount of Zn & B. All the micronutrients though required in smaller quantities are essential to produce the top grade fruits with the potential of fetching a profitable market price. The major tomato producing states are Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Read More
Climate and Soil Requirement
Tomato is grown on soils with over a wide range of textures, from light sandy to heavy clay soils. It is important to maintain the soil pH between 6 – 7, as a deviation from this range can lead to insufficient micronutrients for plant uptake. It is a warm season crop and the best fruit Colour & quality is obtained at a temperature range of 21-24°C. Temperatures above 32º C can adversely affect fruit setting and development.
Land Preparation
The field is ploughed to fine tilth by giving sufficient interval between two ploughing. Post which planking is done to ensure appropriate leveling. Well-decomposed Farmyard Manure (25 t/ha) should be thoroughly incorporated at the time of land preparation.
Method of sowing:
Tomato is a two-season crop; summer and winter. For summer the seeds are sown in November and for winter seeds are sown in June & July, and in the hills, seeds are sown in March and April. The seedlings are transplanted at a spacing of 75-90 x 45-60 cm. In light soil, the seeds are transplanted in furrows, and in case of heavy soils, they are transplanted on side of the ridges. Pre-soaking irrigation is given 3-4 days prior to transplanting and should preferably be done in the evening.
Irrigation
Tomato plants are resistant to moderate drought, however, proper management is essential to assure high yield and quality. Light irrigation should be given 3-4 days after transplanting. Irrigation intervals should be according to soil type and rainfall, irrigation should be given 7-8 days interval during kharif, during Rabi 10-12 days and 5-6 days during summer. Flowering and fruit development are the critical stages of tomato; therefore, water stress should not be given during this period. Mulching is recommended with black LDPE sheets of 25-micron thickness, which should be buried on both ends into the soil, at a depth of 10 cm which will help saving irrigation water and prevents weed growth.
Fertilizer Schedule of Mosaic Products
| Stages | Duration in Days | Product with Dosages | Application Method of fertilizer | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early growth stage | 0-30 | Mosaic DAP– 100 kg/acre Mosaic MOP- 80 kg/acre Mosaic K Mag- 50 kg/acre, Mosaic Magna Liquid zinc @ 1 mL/L and Seaweed Extract @ 2.5mL/L after 15-20 DAT |
Basal(Before mulching) Foliar application |
Vigorous root and shoot growth, internode elongation |
| Vegetative stage | 30-60 | Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc @ 1 mL/L, Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L and Seaweed Extract @ 2.5 mL/L after 50-55 DAT | Foliar Application | Flower initiation, healthy and green leaves, development of Branches and leaf |
| Flowering stage & fruit formation | 60-90 | Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L and Seaweed Extract @ 2.5 mL/L after 80-85 DAT | Foliar application | Improves number of flowers and fruit setting, colour and quality of fruit |
| Fruit development & maturity | 90-150 | Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron @ 1 mL/L after every two pickings | Foliar application | Proper Fruit development, uniform tomato, improves fruit color, improves fruit weight, increase shelf life of fruit, Increase quality (nutrition value) and yield, plants will be green till last picking. |
Note:
- •Above dosages are applicable for Maharashtra.
- •Apply nitrogen at 100 kg/acre, 1/3rd at the time of basal application and remaining N at 3 equal splits at 30-35 days, 45-50 days and 60-70 days.
- •Apply nutrients based on soil test values. Apply well decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or compost (@ 10 MT/acre) at the time of last ploughing or during preparation of raised beds. Use nitrogen fertilizers judiciously as excessive use of nitrogen leads to more pest and disease infestation.
- •Apply 2 kg/ha of Azospirillum and 2 kg/ha Phosphobacteria by mixing with 50 kg of Farm yard manure.
Nutrient Deficiencies
| Deficiencies | Symptoms | Affected Area | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | Plants look lush blue-green or purplish in color. The stems become very thin and remain stunted while the roots become brown with restricted development of lateral branches. | Stunted growth, less number of branches, reduced root growth. | Apply recommended dose of phosphorus through Mosaic DAP. |
| Potassium | Yellowish spots in the margins of new leaves, which later spread over the leaf surface and subsequently turn brown, starting with the older leaves. Plants remain stunted, hard and chlorotic. | Poor fruit retention, Reduction in size and quality of fruits, stunted growth, poor tolerance capacity, shelf life. | Apply recommended dose of potassium through Mosaic MOP and Mosaic K-Mag @ 50kg/acre at the time of bed preparation. |
| Magnesium | Magnesium deficiency starts as interveinal yellowing at the leaf margins on older leaves, which later becomes brown and withered interveinal yellowing and necrosis. | The growth of seedling and pulp gets affected. | Apply Mosaic K-Mag @ 50 kg/acre at the time of bed preparation. |
| Sulphur | Young leaves become stiff and curled downward. Older leaves develop necrosis at tips and margins with development of small purple spots between the veins. | Lack of aroma, reduced nutritive value, and keeping quality gets reduced. | Apply Mosaic K-Mag @ 50 kg/acre at the time of bed preparation. |
| Zinc | The leaves show interveinal necrosis and the younger leaves become yellow. | Reduced leaf and shoot growth, reduction in flowering and fruit set. | Foliar application of Mosaic Magna Liquid Zinc at 1 mL/L twice at fortnight interval. |
| Boron | Stiff, thick and shortened stems, death of the growing points and development of yellow, brown and purple areas on leaf. Uneven ripening and development of corky pits in fruits. | New root and shoot growth will be restricted, fruit cracking, uneven ripening, reduction in quality of fruits. | Foliar application of Mosaic Magna Liquid Boron at 1mL/L at fortnight interval or after every alternate picking. |
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