Farming Practices

6. Tomato — Scientific name

• Accepted scientific name: Solanum lycopersicum L.
• Synonym: Lycopersicon esculentum (older classification)

7. Seed rate

Seed rate requirements:

• Hybrid varieties: 100–150 g/ha
• Open Pollinated (OP) varieties: 300–350 g/ha
• Greenhouse/protected cultivation: 20–25 g per 1000 m²

Note: Seedling requirement depends on spacing and crop type (determinate vs. indeterminate)

8. Nursery bed preparation

Purpose: To raise healthy, vigorous seedlings for transplanting

Bed requirements:

• Raised beds 1–1.2 m wide, convenient length
• Soil: Fine tilth, aerated, disease-free, well-drained
• Add well-decomposed FYM @ 8–10 kg/bed
• Add neem cake 200 g/bed to reduce soil-borne pests

Sowing method:

• Create small furrows at 5–7 cm spacing
• Sow seeds thinly and uniformly
• Cover lightly with fine soil + compost mixture
• Water using rose can; avoid heavy watering

Nursery protection:

• Use shade-net (50%)
• Cover with insect-proof net to avoid virus-transmitting insects

Nursery period:

• 25–30 days
• Seedling height at transplanting: 12–15 cm, 4–6 leaf stage

9. Protected nursery

When needed:

• Areas with high incidence of sucking pests (whitefly, thrips)
• Virus-prone zones (TLCV)
• Rainy season planting
• Greenhouse cultivation

Structure features:

• Polyhouse or shade-net house (50–75%)
• Raised benches
• Plug trays for hygienic rooting
• Misting/fogging for humidity control
• Insect-proof netting

Benefits:

• Higher germination
• Uniform seedlings
• Reduced damping-off disease
• Virus-free healthy plants

10. Soil

• Type: Well-drained sandy loam to clay loam
• pH: Ideal 6.0–7.0
• Organic matter: Essential for productivity
• Avoid:
• • Heavy clay (root diseases)
  • Waterlogged soils
  • Saline soils

11. Season of sowing / planting

India (general):

• Kharif: June–July
• Rabi: September–October
• Summer: January–February
• Protected cultivation: Year-round

12. Field preparation

• Deep ploughing: 2–3 passes
• Harrowing to achieve good tilth
• Incorporate FYM 20–25 t/ha
• Make ridges & furrows or raised beds
• Install drip lines before transplanting for efficient irrigation

13. Spacing

Open field:

• Determinate varieties: 60 × 45 cm
• Indeterminate varieties: 90 × 60 cm

Protected cultivation:

• 40–50 cm plant spacing
• 1.2–1.5 m row spacing

14. Mulching

Benefits:

• Moisture conservation
• Weed suppression
• Reduced soil-borne infections
• Improved fruit quality
• Reduced cracking

Materials:

• Black/Silver plastic mulch (25–30 microns)
• Organic mulch (straw, leaves, grass)

15. Weed control

• Manual weeding: 20–30 days after transplanting
• Chemical: Pendimethalin @ 1 L/ha as pre-emergence
• Cultural:
• • Mulching
  • Proper spacing
  • Drip irrigation minimizing weed growth between rows

16. Training and pruning

Determinate varieties:

• Minimal pruning
• Remove damaged lower leaves

Indeterminate varieties:

• Single-stem or double-stem system
• Remove side suckers regularly
• Provide stakes, trellising or wires
• Maintain air flow to reduce fungal infections

17. Irrigation

• Critical stages:
• • Flowering
  • Fruit set
  • Early fruit development
• Avoid water stress and avoid waterlogging
• Drip system recommended for uniform moisture

Irrigation schedule:

• Summer: Daily or alternate-day
• Winter: Every 3–4 days

18. Layout and planting for drip irrigation & fertigation

Drip layout:

• One drip line per row
• Emitter spacing: 30 cm
• Emitter discharge: 2–4 L/hr

Operating time:

• 1–1.5 hours daily (soil dependent)

Planting:

• Transplant seedlings near the emitter points
• Maintain uniform moisture during establishment

Fertigation:

• Use water-soluble fertilizers
• Ensure filters and backflow preventers are installed
• Flush lines regularly