Question

Describe the cultivation of tomato under the following heads: (a) Selection of soil and preparation
(b) Two improved varieties
(c) Time of sowing and seed rate per hectare
(d) Manure and fertilizer per hectare
(e) Yield per hectare

Hint:

Tomato = high nutrient-demanding crop; use FYM + NPK in proper balance for maximum yield.

Answer 1

(a) Selection of soil and preparation
- Tomato grows best in well-drained sandy loam to clay loam soils with good organic matter.
- Soil pH should be between 6.0–7.0.
- The land should be ploughed 3–4 times, harrowed, and leveled to get a fine tilth.
- Raised beds or ridges are usually prepared for transplanting seedlings.
(b) Two improved varieties
- Pusa Ruby: Popular variety, medium-sized fruits, good for table purpose.
- Pusa Hybrid-1: Early, high-yielding hybrid with uniform fruits.
(Other examples: Arka Vikas, Arka Abha, Pusa Gaurav).
(c) Time of sowing and seed rate per hectare
- Time of sowing: - Kharif: June–July
- Rabi: October–November
- Summer: January–February
- Seed rate: - 400–500 g of seed is required per hectare for transplanting.
(d) Manure and fertilizer per hectare
- FYM/Compost: 20–25 tons/ha at the time of land preparation.
- Chemical fertilizers: - Nitrogen (N): 120 kg/ha
- Phosphorus (P$_2$O$_5$): 80 kg/ha
- Potassium (K$_2$O): 60 kg/ha
- Fertilizer is applied in split doses – half basal and half at flowering/fruiting stage.
(e) Yield per hectare
- Open-pollinated varieties: 300–400 quintals/ha.
- Hybrids: 500–600 quintals/ha under good management.