2. The aim of the assignment was :
To learn the management practices of tomatoes.
To learn the vegetative stages of tomatoes.
To identify the pest and diseases of tomatoes.
To learn the controlling methods of pests and disease of tomatoes.
To identify the nutrient deficiency of the plant.
To know fertilizer recommendation of the plant.
3. INTRODUCTION
A tomato is the edible, often red fruit from the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly
known as a tomato plant.
The fruit is rich in lycopene, which may have beneficial health effects.
The tomato belongs to the nightshade family.
The plants typically grow to 1–3 meters (3–10 ft) in height and have a weak stem that
often sprawls over the ground and vines over other plants.
It is a perennial in its native habitat, although often grown outdoors in temperate climates
as an annual.
An average common tomato weighs 102–105 grams
Date planted: 21/ 06/ 2013
Variety: Rising sun no. 2 – tolerant to bacterial wilt
Plot #: 2
5. METHODOLOGY
In week three of school, plots were assigned to students. Two
students were required to work on the plot.
Firstly, a measuring tape was used to measure the plot which was
5m by 2.5m.
After measuring of the plot accurately, drain of the plot was made
using a spade which was 30cm by 30cm and the whole plot was
dugged using a fork.
After digging, the soil was soften using a hoe.
Two bags of poultry was then added to the soil and was mixed
thoroughly.
6. After 1 week tomato plants were transplanted at the
spacing of 60cm by 40cm and was watered using a
watering can.
Transplanting was done on a cloudy day
After 2-4 days of transplanting, weeding was done
Hilling was done and urea fertilizer 10g per plant was
added.
Mulching was then done
Stalking and nipping was also done
7. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Transplanting of tomato
When the tomato plant was transplanted, it was important that the soil are
attached to the plant when it was removed from the soil and was planted in
the plot. It was done so that the small tomato plants do not die ad lose its
small root hairs and damage the root system.
8. Manure application
Poultry manure was added into the plot after digging, to add
nutrient to the soil for plant growth.
Pinching off
The lateral shoots were pinched to improve more bushy growth
but little foliage is to be kept.
9. Mulching
Mulching is a very important management practice. Mulching is done to keep the
soil soft and prevent insects attack on plants. Mulching also controls weed
growth.
Healing
After transplanting, healing was done. Healing is done to prevent plant from falling off
when plant bears fruit.
10. Stalking
Stalking of tomato plants is very important. Tomato plants are
soft and easily get bend due to wind or by weight of the fruits.
The tomato plants are tied to stick as it reached the height of
20cm.
11. Nipping
Nipping is a management practice used for faster and stronger tomato plants.
Nipping is removing inflorescences from plants. Nipping is done so that the
plant can grow stronger and taller and is healthy when it starts to bear fruits.
Some plants bear fruits when it is really short and as a result plants die out
quickly.
Fertilizer application
Urea was applied to the plants to add nutrient to the plant by which the plants grow
rapidly and is healthy.
12. RESULTS
There were four plants randomly chosen in a plot, one from each row and the following
results were recorded:
Plot # 1 : 2nd plant from 1st row
Height of the plant - 1m
Diameter of the plant - 5mm
# of stocks present in a plant – 18
# of inflorescences - 3
Length of the stock # of leaves in a stock
15cm 9
22cm 7
31cm 11
38cm 13
49cm 15
67cm 15
17.8cm 7
13cm 7
26cm 9
Length of the stock # of leaves in a stock
26cm 9
45.4cm 13
47cm 13
57cm 14
71.6cm 14
65cm 16
67cm 13
47cm 12
42cm 9
13. Plot # 2: 2nd row 2nd plant
Height of the plant – 1.3m
Diameter of the plant – 3.4mm
# of stocks present in a plant - 22
# of inflorescences - 2
Length of the stock # of leaves in a stock
24.6cm 7
12cm 12
46cm 13
27cm 8
22cm 6
11cm 5
59cm 14
54cm 10
71cm 14
20cm 7
32cm 7
Length the of stock # of leaves in a stock
45cm 12
53cm 11
40cm 11
53cm 13
63cm 16
61cm 14
52cm 11
56cm 11
34cm 8
45cm 8
29cm 7
14. Plot # 3: 3rd row 9th plant
Length of plant – 1.10m
Diameter of the plant – 4mm
# of stocks in a plant – 26
# of inflorescences – 7
Length of the plant stock # of leaves in a stock
23cm 9
12.6cm 6
13cm 5
13.2cm 5
38cm 12
50.2 15
55cm 12
64cm 15
67cm 16
19cm 7
38cm 9
42cm 9
65cm 18
Length of the stock # of leaves in a stock
17cm 6
25cm 7
60.4cm 14
33cm 11
21cm 8
41cm 13
57cm 15
59cm `14
51cm 9
53cm 9
43cm 9
41cm 9
32cm 9
15. Plot # 4: 4th row 10th plant
Length of plant – 1.4m
Diameter of the plant – 4mm
# of stocks in a plant – 24
# of inflorescences – 8
Length of the plant stalk # of leaves in a stock
15cm 7
22cm 7
31cm 9
41cm 9
63.2cm 15
14cm 5
22cm 7
40cm 13
42cm 10
58cm 15
55cm 17
60cm 13
Length of the plant stalk # of the leaves in a stock
27.8cm 7
20cm 6
46cm 13
55.2cm 13
63cm 17
63cm 14
63.2cm 14
69.2cm 14
66.6cm 15
62.8cm 14
53.8cm 13
40.2cm 9
16. CONCLUSION
Tomatoes are quantitatively the most important non-starchy vegetable.
They offer significant nutritional advantages, including providing a
significant source of dietary lycopene and other carotenoids, vitamin C,
potassium, and fiber in a low energy dense food.
Emerging research underscores the relationship between consuming
tomatoes and tomato products with reduced risk of certain cancers, heart
disease, ultraviolet light–induced skin damage, osteoporosis, and other
conditions.
These factors increase the likelihood for compliance and high potential for
improving overall dietary patterns in general.
17. CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
Date LAURENCE JOSPHINE
210613 Marked the plot & dugged the drain Marked the plot & dugged the plot
240613 Added poultry manure -
280613 - Mixed the poultry manure, transplanted the
seedlings, watered the plant & did mulching.
010713 Watered the plant & cleared all the
weeds
-
050713 - Watered the plant, weeded the plot.
080713 Watered the plant, added urea &
weeded the plot.
-
120713 - Watered the plant, nipping, healing & weeding
was done.
150713 Weeding, watering and nipping was
done.
-
190713 - Weeding, watering, nipping, tiring of plants &
staking was done.
220713 Weeding, watering, of plant was done -
260713 - Weeding, watering & assessment of plot was
done.
18. RECOMMENDATION
10 Tips for Successful Tomato Production
Find your markets before you plant the first seed.
Choose good varieties that spread your season.
Test soil for fertilizer and nematicide -- follow recommendations.
Use large container transplants for early production.
Use your own or certified transplants.
Use a herbicide suited to your weed conditions.
Spray weekly with high pressure sprayer for disease control.
Prune early and string when needed.
Irrigate to control cracking and blossom end rot.
Pack uniform size and color fruit.
