How To Grow Tomatoes

  How To Grow Tomatoes

Botanical name                        : Solanum lycopersicum

Primary centre of origin           : Peru

Secondary centre of origin       : Mexico

Popularly known as                  : Poor man‟s Orange 

Chromosome No. : 2n = 24 

                                                                               

Tomato (Lycopersicon sculentum) is a very important vegetable, which is used throughout the year. Vegetables, soups, ketchup are made from it. It is used as a salad. Mineral salts, vitamins and organic acids are found in abundance in tomatoes. Tomatoes are also exported to foreign countries, which earns foreign currency. The demand for tomatoes is constantly increasing in the country and abroad. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Odisha are the major tomato producing states of India.

History and Origin - Tomato has many species, but only two of them are edible and Lycopersicon esculentum and Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium. The birthplace of small-fruited species is considered to be Peru and Mexican regions in tropical America. In Mexico, it was known as tomato, which later became tomato after 1695. The residents of Central and South America have been using tomatoes as food since ancient times. In Europe, its cultivation was started by the Spanish residents in the 16th century. From there it was taken to the United States and Canada. Tomato was brought to India by the Portuguese residents and it has become quite popular as a vegetable only in the last ten decades. Tomato is in demand almost throughout the year. Apart from being a vegetable, it is also used in the form of soup, chutney, salad, sauce, squash etc. Nowadays it is also canned. Dry powder of tomato is also made, one quintal of fresh tomatoes is converted into 6.5 kg of dry powder and the estimated cost comes to only Rs. 25. Nutritive Value - Tomato is a very nutritious vegetable, so doctors are of the opinion that "A Tomato a day keeps the Doctor away" which is 100% true. The food value of tomato is shown in the table.

(Nutrition Value of Tomato per 100 grams of food)

Moisture                         : 93.10 g Protein                             : 1.90 g Fat                                    : 0.01 g Fiber                                 : 0.10 g Minerals                          : 0.60 g Other carbohydrates    : 3.60 g Sodium                            : 12.9 mg Potassium                       : 237 mg Copper                            : 0.19 mg Sulfur                              : 24.00 mg Chlorine                         : 38.00 mg Thiamine                       : 0.07 mg  g Riboflavin                      : 0.01 mg Nicotinic Acid               : 0.40 mg Magnesium                   : 15.00 mg Calcium                        : 20.00 mg Oxalic Acid                   : 2.00 mg Phosphorus                  : 36.00 mg Iron                               : 1.80 mg Vitamin C                     : 31.00 mg Vitamin A                     : 320.00 IU Calories                        : 23.00

 

Climate - Tomato is a vegetable of hot climate, but it is grown on a large scale in cold climate. For its successful production, 21°-23°C temperature is considered favourable. But at commercial level, its successful production is up to 18°-27°C. Tomato has a special ability to tolerate drought. But if irrigation is done immediately after severe drought, then the fruits start cracking and the inflorescences start to wither. At high and low temperatures, the germination of its seeds is low, the growth of plants is low, the fruits fall, the fruits are less and they ripen less. Due to high temperature, the quality of tomatoes decreases and they get scorched. At high and low temperatures, both the yield and quality of tomatoes decrease. The mild climate of the plains of North India is considered ideal for germination of seeds, plant growth, fruit formation, development and ripening of fruits. Due to excessive rainfall, the flowers fall, due to which there is a huge reduction in the yield. High temperature, low humidity and dry air cause rapid fall of immature flowers resulting in poor yield. Both high and low temperatures have adverse effects on the crop. Along with temperature, light intensity affects the colour of the fruits and the content of ascorbic acid. Tomato crops ripen well in places with good sunlight. It has been found that the lycopene content is highest between 20°-25°C. Above 27°C, lycopene production starts declining rapidly and at temperatures above 35°C its production almost stops.

Advice On Growing Tomatoes

Soil - Tomato can be grown in a variety of soils. Sandy loam to clayey black cotton soil and red soil should have proper drainage. However, sandy loam with abundant organic matter is considered ideal for its production. Soil pH value of 7-8.5 is considered best. Hybrid varieties of tomato are grown commercially in the red and black soils of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Light sandy loam soil is good for early crop.

Improved Varieties- Improved and hybrid varieties of tomato are grown in different parts of the country. Which are mentioned below-

 

Varieties Improved / Hybrid	characteristics
Arka Saurabh	It is developed by selection of a line V 685 imported from Canada. Plants of this variety are semi-indeterminate in growth. Fruits are round, medium, large, deep red, nipple beaked, recommended for growing in Karnataka for fresh marketing and processing. Its average yield is 40 tonnes. Which is 30-35% more than Pusa Ruby. Fruits can be preserved for 3-10 days at room temperature. Used for fruit chutney, ketchup and relish.
Arka Vikas	It is a selection of Tiptop variety of American tomato. Its plants are indeterminate, fruits are medium large, uniform deep red colour, suitable for fresh marketing, able to tolerate moisture stress, recommended for growing on commercial scale in Karnataka.  Its average yield is 35-40 tonnes per hectare.
ARTH 3	The plants of this variety are of determinate growth nature. The fruits are round, large, solid and ripen evenly. It is a suitable variety for salads.
ARTH 4	The plants of this variety are of indeterminate growth nature. The fruits are round, medium size, deep red in colour and ripen evenly.
Avinash 2	The plants of this variety are of determinate growth nature. It is a hybrid variety. The fruits are medium size, semi-round, good colour and ripen together. It is a suitable variety for processing.
BSS 90	It is an early variety. It is a determinate growth nature variety. It is also a hybrid variety. The fruits are round, deep red and ripen evenly. To get good and high quality fruits, support is required along with the plants. It is an excellent variety for sending to distant markets.
Co. 3	It is a mutant of Co. 1. Plants are determinate for erect growth. Fruits are round, globe shaped, medium sized and bear in bunches. Vitamin C is abundant. This variety is recommended for cultivation in Tamil Nadu.
HS 101 (Selection 2-3 x a foreign variety)	This is a small determinate variety. Fruits are round, medium sized and bear in bunches of 3-4 and are juicy. It is an excellent variety for winter and summer cultivation in northern India.
HM 102 (Pusa Early Dwarf x S 12)	Plants are determinate in nature. It is a very early variety. Fruits are small to medium, round, juicy. This variety bears fruits in high temperature. It is suitable for cultivation in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Fruits start ripening after 85-90 days of transplantation.  The yield is up to 275-300 quintals per hectare.
HS 110	This is a foreign selection. The plants are determinate in nature. The leaves are broad and like potato leaves. The fruits are smooth, large, fleshy, which is a suitable variety for salad. This variety is suitable for growing in Haryana.
Selection 12 Hisar Anmol (H24)	This variety is a modified form of 'Soo'. Its average yield is 250-275 quintals per hectare. The plants of this variety are determinate in nature. The fruits are medium sized, round, red and fleshy. This variety is resistant to tomato leaf curl virus.
Hisar Arun (Selection 7)	This is a very early variety. It is a high yielding variety. Plants are dwarf, determinate in growth. Flowers and fruits are medium to large, round and dark red in colour. This variety is suitable for cultivation in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Orissa. This variety gives 12% more yield than HS 110. This variety is recommended to be grown in spring and rainy season.
Hisar Lalima (Selection 18)	This is an early variety which is of determinate growth nature. Fruits are large, round, red, fleshy but this variety gives less yield than Hisar Arun. This variety is recommended for cultivation in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It gives yield up to 300 quintals per hectare.
Hisar Lalit (NT 8)	Plants of this variety are of semi-determinate growth nature. It is an early variety. Fruits are round, medium to large. This variety is resistant to root-knot nematode. It gives yield up to 100 quintals per hectare.
Krishna	This is an early variety. It is of determinate growth nature. It is a hybrid variety which is suitable for processing. Fruit class is round, solid, attractive red colour, heavy yielding variety. Fruits of this variety are suitable for sending to distant markets. It is a suitable variety for growing rainy season and summer crops.
KS 2	Determinate growth, early, fruits are flat, round, slightly grived. It is a high yielding variety.
Matari	Plant Determinate growth and good leaf structure, Fruits are medium sized, deep red in colour and suitable for processing.
MTH 6   .	Plant Indeterminate Fruits are large round, high yielding, fruits become red in colour on ripening, peel is hard hence suitable for marketing in distant markets.
NA 601	Plant Determinate Fruits are round oval shaped which are solid, red in colour. Suitable for marketing in distant markets.
Naveen   .	It is an early hybrid and plants have determinate growth habit. Fruits are medium sized, smooth, dark red in colour, fruits are produced in large quantity even in summers. Grown in various parts of the country. This variety is resistant to Fusarium and Verticillium wilt.
Pusa 120	The plants of this variety are semi-determinate in growth pattern. Fruits are medium to large in size, smooth, round, deep red and attractive. This variety is resistant to root-knot nematode. It gives 250-275 quintals of yield per hectare.
Punjab  chhuhara (EC 55055 x Punjab Tropic)	The plant is determinate, fruits are pear shaped, seedless and of uniform colour with thick, solid walls. Its fruits remain marketable in the market for one week. This variety is suitable for resource-intensive marketing in distant markets. It has been recommended to grow this variety in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Pant Bahar	The plants of this variety are bushy, indeterminate in growth pattern. Plants have many branches, leaves are light green in colour. The stems are relatively thin. Fruits are flat, round, medium in size with slight bulges on them. Fruits are red in colour.  Fruits are ready for first picking after 30 days of planting. It is a resistant variety to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt.
Pusa Divya	Plants are of indeterminate growth nature. It is a hybrid variety. It has been developed by using male sterile line. Multi-branched, fruit round to oval, thick peel, first crop ready after 80 days of planting, yield of 550 quintals per hectare.
Pusa EarlyDarf	Plants are of determinate growth nature. It is an early variety. It is suitable for growing in autumn.
Pusa Gaurav	Plants are of determinate growth, leaves are light in colour and light green in leaf. Fruits are smooth, yellow, round, ripen evenly and is the best variety for processing and sending to distant markets.  400 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare.
Pusa Hybrid 1	Plants are determinate, fruits are round, smooth, attractive, fruits are formed even at 28°C night temperature. Hence it is an excellent variety for growing in summers. Up to 500 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare.
Pusa Hybrid 2	This is a high yielding early variety. Its fruits are medium sized and solid. Its leaf is very attractive. Fruits are medium sized, round and deep red in colour and have good storage capacity. It is a good variety for processing and sending to distant markets. Up to 600 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare. It is a nematode resistant variety. It is suitable for cultivation throughout the country.
Pusa Hybrid 4	Plants are determinate, high yielding, fruits are medium sized, round and deep red in colour when ripe.  These are good for sending to distant markets.
Pusa Ruby	This is an early variety. Plants have indeterminate growth pattern. Fruits are round and red. This variety is suitable for growing in both rainy and spring seasons.
Pusa Sheetal	This variety is grown in winters. The specialty of this variety is that its plants produce fruits even at low temperature (8°C). It gives yield up to 350 quintals per hectare.
Pusa Uphaar	Plants have indeterminate growth pattern. Its leaves grow straight upwards. The leaves are dark green in colour. Fruits grow in bunches. Fruits are round and attractive of medium size. The weight of each fruit is 60 grams. The peel is thick and fruits ripen evenly.
Rajni	This is a very early crop. Plants have determinate growth pattern.  This is a high yielding variety. It is a hybrid variety. Its fruits are suitable for processing. Fruits are round, solid and medium sized. The colour of the fruits is excellent. Which has high sweetness (TSS). This variety is resistant to Fusarium and Verticillium Wilt.
Rashmi	This is a hybrid variety. Its plants have determinate growth nature, fruits are round, solid and excellent colour. Which has high sweetness (TSS). This variety is suitable for growing in hot and dry climate. It is a suitable variety for processing.
Ratna	Plants have determinate growth nature and grow rapidly. Fruits are pear shaped. Fruits are medium sized and of similar colour when ripe.
Roma	Plants have determinate growth nature. Fruits are pear shaped which grow in bunches. Fruits are medium sized, highly fruitful. Which are suitable for processing and sending to distant markets.
Rupali	The plants have determinate growth pattern. It is an early variety. Fruits are medium sized and dark red in colour and have high sweetness (TSS). It is a high yielding variety. This variety can be grown in hot and dry weather.

How To Grow Tomatoes From Seeds

Other varieties - N.D.T. 5, 21, and 120, A.C. 142, Pant T-1 and 2, Kaikakhsh, Sweet, Roma etc. are the main varieties.

Latest varieties -

Solan Garima - This variety has been developed by Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University Nauni (Solan). Fruits are medium and large in size, weighing up to 70-80 grams. It has been prepared with the aim of transporting its fruits to long distances. Its fruits can be kept safe for 15-20 days. It is rich in nutrients. It gives 50-60 tons of yield per hectare. The fruits of this variety are red and drought tolerant. It bears fruits from the end of June to the end of September. It can be grown in poly house for the whole year. It has been found to be better than the new hybrids.

Solan Sindoor- This variety has also been developed by Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University, Solan. The fruits are red and do not rot and are drought tolerant. It gives 50-60 tonnes of yield per hectare.

Preparation of land - First plough the land with a soil turning plough. After that, run the cultivator or harrow across the land 2-3 times so that the lower hard layer of the land breaks. To make the soil soft, the land should be levelled after every ploughing.

Preparation of seedlings in the nursery -

Tomato is propagated through seeds. Hence, 250 square metre of space and 300-400 grams of seeds are required to prepare seedlings for one hectare area. Usually, beds of 7.5 m X 1.2 m X 0.1 m size are made in the rainy season. First, the land is dug/ploughed and then 4 kg of cow dung manure or compost should be added to it per square metre. Damping off is a huge outbreak in the summer and rainy seasons. To protect the seeds and plants from this disease, 10% solution of formaldehyde should be used. What is meant to say is that the nursery land should be soaked in the solution so that its pathogens are eliminated and we can get healthy plants. Digging the nursery land and leaving it in the open sun (Solarization) also reduces this disease. Before sowing the seeds, they should be treated with Thiram or Bavistin at the rate of 2 grams / kilogram of seed. Immediately after that, sowing should be done in rows and then irrigation should be done with a sprinkler. Later, the beds should be covered with paddy straw. When germination takes place, the straw should be removed. The beds should be irrigated every morning. After 4-5 weeks of sowing the seeds, the plant becomes ready for planting.

Before planting, the roots of the plants should be soaked in a solution of Nuvacran (1%) or Dithane M 45 (2%). Then they should be planted. Irrigation should be stopped 3-4 days before transplanting to harden the plants. Spraying of 4000 ppm sodium chloride or 2000 ppm CCC solution is also suitable for hardening the plants.

          How Do I Grow Tomatoes From Seed

Sowing- Generally two crops are grown in northern plains of India i.e. autumn and spring, while in southern India three crops are grown which are sown in June-July, October-November and January-February. In Punjab only spring-summer crops are grown because leaf curl mosaic is found in large quantities in autumn.

Planting- Higher yield of tomatoes can be obtained by dense planting. However, the quality of fruits decreases due to dense planting because diseases and pests are more prevalent in this system. Tomatoes are planted in flat beds or raised beds. Planting in raised beds requires less water, is less prone to pests and diseases and sometimes helps in providing support. For tomato planting, a planting distance of 60 cm x 45 cm or 90 cm x 30 cm is recommended. In hybrid varieties, the planting distance between rows is kept more and the distance between plants is kept less, which facilitates mechanization.

Manure and Fertilizers

Main and micronutrients are required to get economic yield of tomatoes. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and boron are very important to be given to tomato crop. However, their quantity depends on the quantity of these elements available in the soil. However, the use of manure and fertilizers after soil testing is economically appropriate. For tomatoes, NPO should be applied at the rate of 120:60:50 kg/hectare, whereas in hybrid varieties, more quantity of nitrogen should be applied. Which should be divided into two parts. First at the time of growth of plants and second when flowers and fruits are formed. However, due to excess use of nitrogen, fruits do not appear due to increase in carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio). Giving phosphorus increases the growth of roots. High level of potash increases the response of nitrogen. As a result, the growth of plants and yield is more. Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and diammonium phosphate and super phosphate are good sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. For proper consumption, nitrogen should be given in several times. Spraying of 0.4-0.6% urea has been found to be very effective. A starter solution of 20 grams (12 : 24 : 12 N. P.K.) in 10 liters of water should be given in irrigation water after planting.

   How To Grow Tomatoes From Tomato Seeds

Green manure, cow dung manure, sludge, neem cake and organic fertilizers have been found to be very beneficial for getting a healthy crop. Boron and zinc micronutrients play a special role in tomato cultivation. In which 20-25 kg of borax for boron should be added to the soil at the time of field preparation. Spraying 0-22-0-4% borax solution at the time of fruit formation helps in the proper development of fruits because borax improves the shape, form and color of fruits. Therefore, every farmer must add borax to his soil. To overcome zinc deficiency, 25 kg zinc sulphate must be added at the time of soil preparation.

To prevent tomato fruits from bursting, 19-24 kg borax must be added to the soil at the time of planting.

Training and pruning – Cleaning and pruning of plants is of great importance in successful tomato production. However, Indian farmers do not pay enough attention to this. If the crop is grown in a limited area, then it is very important to support the plants with bamboo sticks or wood. Training, pruning or pinching is very important to get high quality fruits. Pruning in indeterminate tomatoes increases the number of fruits, formation of uniform fruits, quality of fruits and yield. Wires, threads, sticks are required for tying in the greenhouse whereas bamboo sticks and wire or rope are required for tying in the field. If the growth has become excessive, then the side branches should be pruned or pinched so that fruits of equal size can be obtained. Pinching of the main shoot increases the size of the top fruits. In indeterminate plants, pinching is done when they have reached the maximum height. Old leaves should also be removed to protect the plants from diseases. However, leaves should not be removed from the summer crop of tomatoes, rather they should be covered on the tomatoes, so that they can be protected from strong sunlight.

Irrigation - Frequent irrigations are very important for tomato crop because irrigation helps in the growth of plants, increases the fruiting and gives more yield. Tomato crop should be irrigated at an interval of 8-12 days. However, summer crops require more irrigations because there is more evaporation from the plants and land surface. Usually, tomato crops are irrigated by furrow method, but nowadays trickle and drip irrigation methods are also used. Drip irrigation is economically better because it irrigates more area with less amount of water and the fruits obtained are of high quality. A little change has been made in the drip system, so that fertilizers can also be given along with water. This method is used in greenhouses, glass houses and plastic houses.

Weed control - Many weeds grow along with tomato crop which damage the crop in various ways. They not only compete with plants for moisture and nutrients but also provide shelter to pathogens and insects, which causes a great reduction in the quality and yield of tomatoes. Weeding should be done 2-3 times to keep the soil loose during the initial growth of the plants. Also, soil should be applied on the plants twice so that the plants can grow optimally.

  Best Season For Growing Tomatoes

The use of many weedicides has also been found beneficial for weed control in tomatoes. Therefore, farmers should also use them. Weeds are eliminated by spraying 1 kg active ingredient of Pendimethalin per hectare + weeding once 45 days after planting or Sencor 2.5 kg active ingredient per hectare or Gol 0.25 kg active ingredient per hectare 2-3 days after planting. By doing this, weeds are eliminated effectively. The critical stage of weed competition occurs 40-45 days after planting tomato plants. Therefore, it is very important to control them at this time. Therefore, weeding must be done at this time. Weeds can also be controlled by spreading mulches. For which straw, sawdust and black polythene can be used. By doing this, not only weeds are controlled but the attack of insects and diseases also reduces.

Crop Protection

Insects

Fruit Borer (Helicocarpa armigera) - This insect attacks when flowers bloom. The female of this insect lays eggs on new leaves from which larvae develop. They eat the leaves. They attack the fruits when they are formed. They enter by making holes in them. Half of their body remains outside the fruit. One larva can eat many fruits. This insect causes 5-50% damage.

Control - 1 row of African Marigold should be planted along with 16 rows of tomatoes. Marigold should be planted as 40 day old saplings and tomato saplings should be planted as 25 day olds. There are two major benefits of planting with this method. Marigold acts as a trap and tomatoes start flowering 25 days after planting. This insect lays eggs on the flower buds and petals of marigold. The larvae eat the flowers. There is no need to spray on marigold. However, two sprays of Indosulfan (0.07%) or Dichlorvos (0.1%) are required on tomato crop 25 and 35 days after planting. By doing this, the damage due to the attack of this insect is reduced to only 2%.

Usually the adults of this insect appear at the time of flowering. For its control, 0.07% solution of Indosulfan should be sprayed. Maximum 4 sprays may be required.

White fly (Bemisia tabaci) – It sucks the juice of the leaves and transmits the leaf curl virus in the leaves. Its attack occurs in summer. This insect causes 80-90 percent damage.

Control – In case of its attack, Triazophos (0.05%) should be sprayed.

Wife Eating Caterpillars (Spodoptra litura, S. exigua) – Their caterpillars lay eggs in clusters on the leaves. Their larvae eat the leaves. Large larvae make holes in the fruits and eat their pulp. As a result, the fruits become useless.

Control -

- Large larvae should be caught by hand and killed.

- When the larvae are small, 0.0125% solution of Cypermethrin should be sprayed.

Fruit Sucking Moth (Othredes flonica, O. materna, O. ensinella) – Adult moths of this insect enter the ripe fruits of tomato by making holes in them and suck their juice. The damaged area becomes soft and rots. If it is observed carefully, it looks like a pin hole.

Control - As soon as it infests, 0.05% solution of Monocrotophos should be sprayed.

Mealy Bug (Ferrisia birgata) – Mealy spots appear on the plants. These insects suck the juice of various parts of the plant, as a result of which the plants remain small. They infest occasionally.

Control – In case of its infestation, spraying of fish oil rosin soap should be done. Keep 100 grams of soap in 10 liters of hot water (80-90°C) for 4 hours so that it dissolves. Then mix water in it and make it 50 liters and then spray it.

Jassids – These are small green insects. Both larvae and adults damage the crop by sucking the juice of the leaves.

Control – Dissolve Malathion 50 EC at 1 ml/liter and spray.

Diseases

Dampening off – This disease is caused by fungi of Pythium / Phytophthora species. Due to this disease, the plants die before germination. Both Radicle and Plumule rot completely. After growing the plants, due to this disease, the plants fall at some point of time. This disease attacks the plants at or below the ground level, due to which the plants become water soaked and soft, the base of the stem shrinks and the plant falls. This disease occurs in the nursery.

Control - Drench the nursery land thoroughly with Formalin solution (5 liters of Formalin + 100 liters of water) 15-20 days before sowing the seeds. Sow the seeds only when the foul smell of Formalin disappears. As soon as the symptoms of this disease appear on the plants, spray 0.25% Mancozeb solution.

Alternaria Blight - This disease is caused by a fungus called "Alternaria Solani". Small, single scattered yellowish brown spots are formed on the leaves. These spots become active later and concentric rings are formed in the chlorophyll tissues and symptoms of yellowing are clearly visible which are also seen on the fruits. Under favorable conditions, this disease causes damage up to 70 percent.

Control -

- Sow only seeds of healthy crop.

- Before sowing the seeds, treat them with thiram 75 WP at the rate of 2:53 grams / kg of seed and then sow.

- Spray Hexakey (0.25%) at an interval of 8-10 days.

- Eliminate weeds from the field.

Leaf curl - This is the main disease of tomato. This disease spreads through fruit fly. The leaves of the affected plants are small, curled, bushy, underdeveloped, branches are small.

Control

- Plant disease-free plants.

- Spray Malathion 50 EC 1.5 ml per liter of water on the disease affected crop.

How To Grow Tomatoes

Bacterial Wilt - This disease is caused by a bacterium called "Ralstonia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum". The main symptom of this disease is that the entire plant withers and collapses without turning yellow. The vascular system becomes brown. If the stem is cut and pressed, the bacteria are clearly visible. Due to this disease, the plants suddenly wilt. Eventually they die, causing 100 percent damage.

Control -

- Always transplant disease-free plants.

- Adopt a 3-year crop rotation in the disease-affected field, in which food grains / cruciferous family crops should be grown.

Root Knot Nematode Disease - Large knots are formed in the roots of the affected plants and the leaves of the plants turn yellow.

Control -

- Before transplanting, the plants should be dipped in a solution of thionasin 500 ml / liter of water. - Nematode resistant varieties like Pusa 120 and Pusa hybrid should be grown.

Fruit picking- Tomatoes are picked at many stages such as ripe green, when they start turning pink, ripe red and overripe. The stage of picking tomato fruits depends on the purpose for which they are to be picked. Generally, tomatoes are picked when they turn from semi-ripe green to pink when they have to be sent to distant markets for marketing. For fresh consumption, they are picked when they turn pink to light red. Ripe red fruits are considered ideal for seed production.

After picking the fruits, they are quickly cooled at a temperature of 13°C. Due to which their storage period increases. Later, tomatoes are separated by machine or by hand and divided into A.B.C. categories.

Yield - The yield of tomatoes depends on many things. In which the fertility of the land, the crop grown, the climate and the care of the crop are important. Usually 250-300 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare. If hybrid varieties are grown with support, then in that case more than 500-550 quintals of yield is obtained.