SOIL AND CLIMATE

Soil

• Well drained loamy soils rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.5-7.5

Climate

• The tomato is a warm-season crop. The crop does well under an average monthly temperature of 21°C to 23°C . Temperature and light intensity affect the fruit-set, pigmentation and nutritive value of the fruit. Long dry spell and heavy rainfall both shows detrimental effect on growth and fruiting.

LAND PREPARATION

Land is prepared to a fine tilth by thorough ploughing 2 – 3 times

TIME OF SOWING

Nursery

• May – June,
• September – October &
• January – February

Transplanting

• The transplanting is done in small flat beds or in shallow furrow depending upon the availability of irrigation.
• In heavy soil it is usually transplanted on ridges and during the rains also it is advantageous to plant the seedlings on ridges.
• For indeterminate varieties/hybrids, the seedlings have to be staked using bamboo sticks of two meter length or planted in broad ridge of 90 cm width and 15 cm height. The seedlings are planted in the furrows at a spacing of 30 cm and the plant is allowed to spread on the broad ridge.

SEED RATE (per acre)

70 – 80 g/acre

SPACING

75 cm (Row to Row) X 45-60 cm (Plant to Plant, Vary hybrid to hybrid)

SEED TREATMENT

Treat the seed with Trichoderma @ 4 g/ kg seed or carbendazim 2 g/kg seed

IRRIGATION

Tomatoes need very careful irrigation that is just sufficient water at the right time. It is necessary to maintain an even moisture supply. During summer season, irrigation at every 5 to 7 days interval is necessary, whereas in winter 10 to 15 days interval is sufficient. A period of drought followed by sudden heavy watering during the fruiting period may cause cracking of fruits.

FERTILISER MANAGEMENT

CROP PROTECTION MANAGEMENT

SHRIRAM VARIETIES

Shriram Pratosh, Shriram Pradhan, Shriram 121, Shriram 131, Shriram Prateek, Shriram Bali, Shriram K-567, Shriram 123, Shriram 7891