Training and pruning
Training helps in better utilization of light and
air. The fruits are trained under leaves to protect them from sun scald. For
outdoor crop, where there is a limited area, stakes are used for training.
Training, pruning or pinching are required to produce quality fruits. In
indeterminate tomatoes, training increases number of fruits and maintains
uniform size of fruits, increasing total yield and quality of fruits. Training
is done with the support of wire, string and stakes in glasshouse or
greenhouse. In field crop, training is done with the support of bamboo
sticks and wire or rope. If there is excessive growth, pinching or pruning of
side shoots improves size and uniformity of fruits. Methyl ester of long chain
acids and alcohol suppress the side shoot formation. Infra-red light and
kinetin also suppress the side shoot formation. Pinching of the main shoot
at the top improves the size of terminal fruits. This is done in indeterminate
varieties when plants attain the maximum height. To reduce the incidence of
diseases, mature old leaves should be removed. However, during summer season,
foliage should not be removed to protect fruits from sunscald.
Both macro and micronutrients are required
judiciously for economic yields of tomato. Application of N, P, K and B is
essential. However, their quantity depends upon the availability of these
nutrients in the soil. The NPK 120:60:50kg/ha should be used. However, for
hybrids, higher quantity of N is applied. A high level of N at seedling stage
and moderate level at flowering and fruiting stage is required. However, high
level of N in plant reduces the C/N ratio resulting in unfruitfulness. The
application of P improves root development, whereas K promotes colour of
fruits. Higher level of K improves the response of high levels of N for growth
and yield. Calcium ammonium nitrate and diammonium phosphate and superphosphate
are better sources of N and P. For better utilization of N, split application
and band placement are ideal. Foliar application of urea (0.4–0.6%) is very
effective. A starter solution of 20g of 12:24:12 N, P and K in 10 litres of
water should be applied with irrigation at transplanting.
For raising a healthy crop, application of green
manure, farmyard manure, sludge, neem cake and biofertilizer, is beneficial.
Boron and zn are important micronutrients required for tomato cultivation.
Boron is applied in the form of borax @ 20–25kg/ha as soil application.
Spraying of 0.22–0.4% borax at fruit formation stage helps fruit development.
Borax improves shape, size and colour of fruits. Thus every farmer should
compulsorily apply borax. In Zn deficiency, zinc sulphate should be applied @
25kg/ha in the soil.
