Good Tomato Farming; Seed Preparation, Field and Planting of Seedlings
Hello dear reader of our agricultural articles, I hope we continue well with daily struggles. Today we're going to start learning the best tomato cultivation, and we'll get to know the basics first, and I hope by the end of this series you will be a great tomato farmer. Everything must have a solid foundation, for almost all of us to learn:
Introduction:
• Tomatoes are a vegetable crop that is grown in many parts of the world for domestic and commercial use. It is believed that the origin of tomatoes is Peru / Equadoran in South America. This plant was first produced as a crop in Mexico and later spread to other countries of the world.
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Tomato production worldwide and here in Tanzania
The world's largest tomato growers include the USA, Italy and Mexico. In Africa, peasant countries are like; Malawi, Zambia and Botswana.
This crop is also grown in East African countries, including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The tomato crop is grown in almost all parts of Tanzania. Tomato production is higher than any other vegetable crop grown in Tanzania, with tomato production per year totaling 129,578 tons, representing 51% of the total vegetable crop. According to the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture the areas that grow the most tomatoes include Kilimanjaro Region (Hai, Moshi and Rombo), Arusha (Arumeru), Morogoro (Mgeta), Tanga (Lushoto), Mbeya (rural Mbeya) and Singida. Morogoro is the leading producer of this cultivation with over 6,159 hectares (15,398 acres). Although production area is increasing in many areas, tomato production is still very low.
Low production is caused by a decrease in soil fertility, wind, heat, drought. Other reasons include the lack of high-yielding tomato varieties that are resistant to our environment, pests, diseases and weeds.
Environment
• Weather:
Tomatoes thrive in moderate temperatures ranging from 18-27 degrees Celsius. Too much rain causes an outbreak of fungal diseases such as the late leaf leaf (etc.)
• Soil:
Tomatoes thrive on all types of soil, from sandy white soil to soft clay, so that the project has sufficient compost and waterproofing. Also have a moderate fermentation i.e. pH 6.0 - 7.0.
Types of Tomatoes
Due to the growth behavior, tomatoes are divided into two groups:
1. Long-range (intermediate) for example ANNA F1, Tebgeru 97. These varieties do best when planted inside a greenhouse. Its harvest is long, some are harvested even more than 6 months, ie 6 months.
2. Short forms (determinate) eg Tanya, Cal J, Light, Onyx, Roma VF (tomato candle)
As a result of pollination, tomatoes are divided into two groups:
1. OPV (Open Pollinated Variety) - Common types
2. Hybrid - Choices: These are the most productive varieties, among which there are short and long varieties.
In the 21st century, tomatoes prefer the most cultivated, the most tolerant of diseases, the most fertile, and the hardest to produce, and keep for days without spoil.
Preparing a Tomato Nursery
Important things to consider:
• The nursery should be close to enough water
• It should be open and well-drained
• If the nursery area is large it should be flat or slightly steep to avoid water from slipping into the nursery, the slope is too steep and not good as it causes erosion.
• The nursery should be a part that did not have a tomato crop or round potatoes (or tomato community crops, eg nau, eggplant, etc.)
• It should be easily accessible to all essential services, including transplanting from other plants. Also to facilitate the distribution of seedlings to other places.
Preparing Tomato Seeds
Type of ridges:
- sunken seed bed
- raised seed bed
- flat seed beds
Important Things to Consider When Preparing Dunes
• The cut should be between 90-120 centimeters wide, and any length, [so that the caretaker can provide all other services in the nursery without trampling the seedlings].
• Plow / plow deep enough 15-20 cm to allow the roots to spread well into the ground.
• Rub the litter on the nursery, or cover the canvas with nylon, 4-8 weeks to kill the parasites and pests.
• When preparing, nursery, add compost manure or compost to the soil and settle it to mix well with the soil.
• Mix 1 to 2 doses every 1 meter (one step) square.
• The terrace should not be covered with valleys or stones which can prevent good seed dispersal, properly balanced to ensure proper seed dispersal and avoid seeding too low.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the abovementioned terraces
1. raised seed beds;
- Such dunes allow water, air and roots to penetrate the soil more easily.
- Root crops take up enough space to grow more quickly
- These dunes do not transfer water as much as others, so they are more commonly used in areas with frequent rainfall.
Disadvantages:
1. Such terraces cause severe erosion if poorly developed.
2. Sunken seed beds:
Benefits:
· These bumps are easy to repair
· Is used during the dry season to conserve water and moisture
· Low moisture content in the soil
· It is easy to water using canal or tap water
· Stores moisture in the soil for a long time
· Prevents erosion
Disadvantages:
· This type of bumps cannot be used in areas with
· Heavy rain.
3. Flat seed beds:
Benefits:
· It is very easy to make since the soil is loosened
And seed dispersal is produced
· It is easy to use a large area for seed production
Disadvantages:
This type of ridges cannot be used in areas with high rainfall.
Grinding the Seed
• Ensure the quality and germination of seeds before germination test
• Line the rows according to the size of the ridge, but the lines should not be less than 15-20 cm from row to row
• The depth of the lines should not be alarming but should be between 1-2 centimeters
• The drains should get enough water one day before seeding. It is best to use a watering can.
• Seeds should be placed in rows and properly distributed to facilitate proper seed dispersal. Mix the fine sand with the seeds and distribute them in the rows prepared on the rack.
Seeds can also be grafted onto the ridge without rows, but distributed evenly along the ridge to reduce congestion. Congestion can cause fungal diseases such as damping off or blight.
• Keep enough mulch that will not stop seed germination.
• Once the seed has germinated, water it according to the moisture content of the soil
Things to consider after Seeding and Care in the Garden
• Water the nursery after planting depending on the moisture content of the soil.
• When all the seedlings have sprouted, remove the mulch, then apply a mulch to reduce the sun's rays, which can reduce young seedlings. (winter time is not very important)
• Minimize thinning to remain in place. So the seedlings remain at a distance of 2.5 - 4 cm. This will reduce the incidence of deformities and humidity, and will also help to get better and stronger seedlings.
• Continue watering until the seedlings reach the appropriate height for transfer to the field.
• Minimize irrigation, a few days before transferring seedlings to the field, ie 7-10 days.
Rules and Techniques for Transferring Seedlings from the Field to the Transplanting
Rules)
• Water the seedlings a few hours before transferring the seedlings to the field so that when removing the roots the roots are well connected with the soil.
• Before transplanting the seedlings, holes should be prepared in the appropriate fields in the field.
• Seedlings should be moved in the evening to avoid possible sun damage.
• Generally almost all vegetable crops are ready to be transferred to the field with 2-6 full leaves and many well-developed roots.
• The plant must be in good health, well-groomed, so that any thin or thin seedlings should not be taken to the field.
• Carefully prune the seedlings together with the soil by using appropriate materials to prevent the roots from being damaged.
• Seedlings should be moved to the field as soon as they are removed from the nursery.
• When transplanting seedlings, great care should be taken not to damage the seedlings / roots.
Preparing a Tomato Farm
• Tomato field should be prepared 1-2 months before planting.
• Once you have grown grass roast grass or remove all weeds that can keep pests and tomato diseases at bay.
• A day or two before transferring tomatoes to the field, water the prepared portion for tomato transfer.
• Spacing between plants is approximately 50-60 centimeters x (50-75) depending on the type or weather. As it is winter it is best to have tomatoes grown separately to allow air circulation and to prevent fungal diseases.
How to plant seedlings:
• Transfer seedlings from the plant with its soil
• Spread the roots well into the hole without folding.
• Sprinkle seedlings exactly the same stems that were covered in the garden.
• Water enough to keep the moisture in the soil then shade with shade to reduce the damage caused by direct sunlight.
Important things to consider after transferring seedlings to the Farm
• Check the field regularly to find out any progress or problems in the field
• Make sure the field is clean at all times, weed the field and make sure all the weeds especially those of the tomato community are cultivated on the ground.
• Remove diseased plants or remove infected areas, then cover them down or light a fire.
• Minimize twigs and stems to maximize light exposure to tomatoes as well as allow for sufficient circulation of air and create a risk of predatory pests on tomatoes, especially those who prefer pests and diseases that favor moisture.
Thank you very much:
