Tomato-Inter cultivation

Providing 2-3 hoeings at regular interval helps to keep the field free from weeds and facilitates soil aeration and root development. Deep cultivation, on the other hand, injures root system and exposes moist soil to the surface.

Weeding can be combined with fertilizer application and earthing up and can be done at one and two months after transplanting.

Another way to control weed growth is by mulching with black or transparent sheet.

The second dose of fertilizer has to be applied in 20-30 days after planting. The third dose has to be applied at 2 months after planting

Soil application @ 10 kg ZnSO4 per hectare and 2 kg Borax per hectare is recommended for tomato.

Continuous cropping of tomato in the same field should be avoided as it results in build up of pests and diseases. At least one year gap should be given between two successive tomato crops or other solanaceous crops like chilli, brinjal, etc.

Stake the plants depending on the growth and bearing habit of the variety. Staking should be done 2-3 weeks after transplanting either by wooden stakes or laying overhead wires to which individual plant can be tied.

Staking is essential for hybrids because of their tall growing habit and heavy bearing nature. In the case of indeterminate types, two or three wires are stretched parallel to each other along the row and plants are tied to these wires.

Tomato crop responds well to irrigation. Flowering and fruit development are the critical stages of irrigation for tomato and therefore water stress should be avoided during these periods. Provide light irrigation 2-3 days after transplanting. Avoid heavy irrigation especially after a long spell of drought as it causes cracking of the fruits.