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Tomato Growing Information


TOMATO


Scientific Name : Lycopersicon esculentum

Family : Solanaceae

Tomato Package & Practices


Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum) is an annual or short lived perennial pubescent herb and greyish green curled uneven pinnate leaves. The flowers are off white bearing fruits which are red or yellow in colour. It is a self-pollinated crop.

The major tomato producing states are Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.

Climate

Tomato is a warm season crop. The best fruit colour and quality is obtained at a temperature range of 21-24°C. Temperatures above 32˚C adversely affects the fruit set and development. The plants cannot withstand frost and high humidity. It requires a low to medium rainfall. Bright sunshine at the time of fruit set helps to develop dark red coloured fruits. Temperature below 10 ˚C adversely affects plant tissues thereby slowing down physiological activities.

Soil

Tomato can be grown on a wide range of soils from sandy to heavy clay. However, well-drained, sandy or red loam soils rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0-7.0 are considered as ideal.

Propagation

Nursery Bed Preparation

Tomato seeds are sown on nursery beds to raise seedlings for transplanting in the field. Raised beds of size 3 x 0.6 m and 10-15 cm in height are prepared. About 70 cm distance is kept between two beds to carry out operations of watering, weeding, etc. The surface of beds should be smooth and well levelled. Add sieved FYM and fine sand on the seedbed. Raised beds are necessary to avoid problem of water logging in heavy soils. In sandy soils, however, sowing can be taken up in flat beds. To avoid mortality of seedlings due to damping off, drench the seed bed first with water and then with Bavistin (15-20 g/10 litres of water).

Season of Planting

Seeds are sown in June July for autumn winter crop and for spring summer crop seeds are sown in November. In the hills seed is sown in March April.

Raising of Seedlings

About 250-300 g of seed are sufficient for raising seedlings for one hectare of land. Prior to sowing seeds are treated with fungal culture of Trichodermaviride (4 g/ kg of seed) or Thiram (2g/kg of seed) to avoid damage from damping-off disease. Sowing should be done thinly in lines spaced at 10-15 cm distance. Seeds are sown at a depth of 2-3 cm and covered with a fine layer of soil followed by light watering by water can. The beds should then be covered with dry straw or grass or sugarcane leaves to maintain required temperature and moisture. The watering should be done by water can as per the need till germination is completed.

The cover of dry straw or grass is removed immediately after germination is complete. During the last week in nursery, the seedlings may be hardened by slightly withholding water. The seedlings with 5-6 true leaves are ready for transplanting within 4 of sowing.

Planting

Land Preparation

The field is ploughed to fine tilth by giving four to five ploughing with a sufficient interval between two ploughing. Planking should be done for proper levelling. Furrows are then opened at the recommended spacing. Well-decomposed FYM (25 t/ha) is thoroughly incorporated at the time of land preparation.

Spacing

Spacing depends upon the type of variety grown and the season of planting. Normally the seedlings are transplanted at a spacing of 75-90 x 45-60 cm.

Method of Planting

Seedlings are transplanted in furrows in light soils and on side of the ridges in case of heavy soils. A pre-soaking irrigation is given 3-4 days prior to transplanting. Before planting seedlings should be dipped in a solution prepared by Nuvacron (15ml) and Dithane M - 45 (25g) in 10 litres of water for 5-6 minutes. Transplanting should preferably be done in the evening.

Intercultivation

Weed Control

The field should be kept weed-free, especially in the initial stage of plant growth, as weeds compete with the crop and reduce the yield drastically. Frequent shallow cultivation should be done at regular interval so as to keep the field free from weeds and to facilitate soil aeration and proper root development. Deep cultivation is injurious because of the damage of roots and exposure of moist soil to the surface. Two-three hoeing and the earthing up are required to keep the crop free of weeds. Pre- emergence application of Basalin (1kg a.i./ha) or Pendimethalin (1kg a.i./ha), coupled with one hand weeding 45 days after transplanting is effective for control of weeds. Plastic mulching (black or transparent) can be used to control the weeds. Weeds can be controlled successfully by mulching plus use of herbicides such as Pendimethalin (0.75 kg a.i./ha) or Oxyfluorfen (0.12 kg a.i./ha).

Crop Rotation

Tomato should not be grown successively on the same field and a break of at least one year is required between planting of tomatoes or other Solanacesous crops (eg. Chillies, Brinjals, Capsicum, Potato, Tobacco, etc.), cucurbits and many other vegetables. The crops, which can be grown after tomatoes, are as follows- Cereals (eg. Rice, Corn Sorghum, Wheat, Millets, etc.) orCruciferons crops (eg. Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi etc) or Radish, Watermelon, Onion, Garlic, Groundnut, Cotton, Safflower , Sunflower, Sesame, Sugar beet and Marigold.

Intercropping

Tomato is well fitted in different cropping systems of cereals, grains, pulses and oilseeds. Cropping systems rice-tomato, rice-maize, okra-potato-tomato, tomato-onion are popular in various parts of India. Spinach or radish can also be grown as inter-crop in tomato successfully.

Staking

Due to the tall habit and heaving bearing nature of the hybrids staking is essential. Staking facilitates intercultural operations and helps in maintaining the quality of the fruits. It is done 2-3 weeks after transplanting. Staking can be done either by wooden stakes or laying overhead wires to which individual plant is tied. In case of indeterminate types, tow or three wires are stretched parallel to each other along the row and plants are tied to these wires.

Irrigation

Tomato is very sensitive to water application. Heavy irrigation provided after a long spell of drought causes cracking of the fruits. Hence it should be avoided. Light irrigation should be given 3-4 days after transplanting. Irrigation intervals should be according to soil type and rainfall, irrigation should be given 7-8 days interval during kharif, during rabi 10-12 days and 5-6 days during summer.

Flowering and fruit development are the critical stages of tomato therefore; water stress should not be given during this period.

Manure and fertilizers

The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the crop. For a good yield, 15-20 tonnes of well-decomposed FYM is incorporated into the soil. Generally, application of 120 kg N, 80 kg P2O5 and 50 kg K2O per hectare is recommended for getting optimum yield. Half dose of N and full dose of P and K is given at the time of planting. The balance half of N is given as top dressing 30 days after transplanting.

For hybrid varieties, the recommended dose per hectare is 180 kg N, 100 kg P2 O5 and 60 kg K2 O. 60 kg N and half of P & K are given at the time of transplanting. Remaining quantities of P & K and 60 kg N is top dressed 30 after transplanting. A third dose of 60 kg N is applied 50 days after transplanting.

Growth Regulators

Effect of growth regulators in tomato crop is as follows-

Plant-growth regulatorsConcentration (mg/litre)Method of applicationAttributes affected
Gibberellic acid (GA)10-20
40-100
Foliar spray
Seed treatment
Higher yield at low temperature
Seed germination
Ethephon100-500
1,000
Foliar spray
Pre-harvest spray
Flowering, fruiting and yield
Fruit ripening
PCPA50-100Foliar spray at low floweringTomato fruit set at high temperatures

IPM practices for Tomato pests

The IPM package given below will take care of fruit borer, leaf miner, mite and insect vector.

Nursery
  • Raise Marigold (Tall African variety golden age bearing yellow and orange flowers) nursery 15-20 days before tomato nursery
  • One week after germination of seeds, spray the seedlings with (imidacloprid 200 SL @ 0.3 ml/l or thiomethoxam 25 WP @ 0.3 g/l)
Before transplanting
  • Apply Neem cake 250 kg/ha ridges at the time of preparing land
  • Dip the roots of seedlings (do not dip the foliage as it may cause burning of leaves) with imidacloprid 200 SL @ 0.3 ml/l or thiomethoxam 25 WP @ 0.3 g/l for 5 minutes.
Main field
  • Transplant 20-25 day old tomato and 45-50 day old marigold simultaneously in a pattern of one row of marigold for every 16 rows of tomato. However, the first and last row of the plots should be of marigold. Simultaneous flowering of both the crops ensures attraction of fruit borers to marigold flowers.
  • Fifteen days after planting spray imidacloprid 200 SL @ 0.4ml/l or thiomethoxam 25 WP @ 0.3g/l for leaf curl vector (whitefly) control
  • Apply neem cake @ 250 kg/ha to ridges at 20-25 DAP (at flowering) to reduce nematode, fruit borer and leaf miner incidence
  • Spray Ha NPV (@250 LE/ha) with 1% jaggery as sunscreen at 28, 35 and 42 DAP in the evening.
  • Spray marigold flowers with HaNPV or destroy fruit borer larvae in them.
  • As an alternative to HaNPV spray, the egg parasitoids, Trichogrammachilonis, T. braziliensis and T. pretiosum @ 2.5 lakhs/ha can be released (five releases @ 50,000/ha/release). The first release has to be done at the flower initiation of the crop.
  • If red spider mite incidence is noticed, spray Neem soap 1 % or neem oil 1% or any synthetic acaricide like dicofol 18.5 EC (1.5 ml/l), or Ethion 50 EC ( 1.5 ml/l) or sulphur 80 WP (3 g/l) etc. Spray lower surface of the leaves.
  • Mechanical collection and destruction of bored fruits at periodic interval (3-4 times after fruit set) to minimize fruit borer incidence to the minimum.
  • Destroy leaf curl and other virus affected plants as soon as the symptoms appear in a few plants to minimize their spread.

Harvesting and Yield

Depending on the variety, fruits become ready for first picking in about 60-70 days after transplanting. The stage of harvesting depends upon the purpose to which the fruits are to be used. The different stages of harvesting are as follows-

  1. Dark green colour - Dark green colour is changed and a reddish pink shade is observed on fruit. Fruits to be shipped are harvested at this stage. Such fruits are then sprayed with ethylene 48 hours prior to shipping. Immature green tomatoes will ripen poorly and be of low quality. A simple way to determine maturity is to slice the tomato with a sharp knife. If seeds are cut, the fruit is too immature for harvest and will not ripen properly.
  2. Breaker stage - Dim pink colour observed on ¼ part of the fruit. Fruits are harvested at this stage to ensure the best quality. Such fruit are less prone to damage during shipment often fetch a higher price than less mature tomatoes.
  3. Pink stage - Pink colour observed on ¾ part of the fruit.
  4. Reddish pink- Fruits are stiff and nearly whole fruit turns reddish pink. Fruits for local sale are harvested at this stage.
  5. Fully riped - Fruits are fully riped and soft having dark red colour. Such fruits are used for processing.

Fruits are normally harvested early in the morning or evening. The fruits are harvested by twisting motion of hand to separate fruits from the stem. Harvested fruits should be kept only in basket or crates and keep it in shade. Since all the fruits do not mature at the same time, they are harvested at an interval of 4 days. Generally there will be 7-11 harvests in a crop life span.

Yield

The yield per hectare varies greatly according to variety and season. On an average, the yield varies from 20-25 t/ha. Hybrid varieties may yield upto 50-60 t/ha.

Tomato Nutritional Deficiencies/Disorders


Nitrogen

Under N deficiency, older leaves gradually change from green to paler green. As the deficiency progresses these older leaves become uniformly yellow (chlorotic). Leaves approach a yellowish white color under extreme deficiency. The young leaves at the top of the plant maintain a green but paler color and tend to become smaller in size. Branching is reduced resulting in short, spindly plants. The yellowing in nitrogen deficiency is uniform over the entire leaf including the veins.

Correction measure: Recovery can be done by top dressing of urea of as recommended on soil test basis or apply 2 %

urea solution. Recovery of deficient plants to applied nitrogen is immediate (days) and spectacular.

Phosphorus

The symptoms first develop on older leaves showing some necrotic spots and plants are dwarfed or stunted. Phosphorus deficient plants develop very slowly. Plants develop a distinct purpling of the stem, petiole and the under sides of the leaves. Under severe deficiency conditions there is a tendency for leaves to develop a blue-gray luster.

Correction measure: Soil application of recommended dose of phosphorous should be applied at

the time of sowing or planting.

Potassium

Since potassium is very mobile within the plant, symptoms only develop on young leaves in the case of extreme deficiency. Some of the leaves show marginal necrosis (tip burn), and at a more advanced deficiency status show inter-veinal necrosis. This group of symptoms is very characteristic of K deficiency symptoms. As the deficiency progresses, most of the interveinal area becomes necrotic, the veins remain green and the leaves tend to curl and crinkle. In contrast to nitrogen deficiency, chlorosis is irreversible in potassium deficiency, even if potassium is given to the plants.

Correction measure: Foliar application of K2SO4 @1%.

Sulfur

This leaves show a general overall chlorosis. The veins and petioles show a very distinct reddish color. The yellowing is much more uniform over the entire plant including young leaves. The reddish color often found on the underside of the leaves. With advanced sulfur deficiency the leaves tend to become more erect and often twisted and brittle.

Correction measure:  Foliar spray of K2SO4 or CaSO4 1% twice at fortnightly interval.

Magnesium

The Mg-deficient leaves show advanced interveinal chlorosis, in its advanced form, magnesium deficiency may superficially resemble potassium deficiency. The symptoms generally start with mottled chlorotic areas developing in the interveinal tissue.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of MgSO4 @2%.

Manganese

The leaves show a light interveinal chlorosis developed under a limited supply of Mn. The early stages of the chlorosis induced by manganese deficiency are somewhat similar to iron deficiency. As the stress increases, the leaves develop dark necrotic areas along the veins.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of MnSO4 @ 2%.

Molybdenum

The leaves show some mottled spotting along with some interveinal chlorosis. An early symptom for molybdenum deficiency is a general overall chlorosis, similar to the symptom for nitrogen deficiency but generally without the reddish coloration on the undersides of the leaves.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of NaMO4 0.05% twice at weekly interval.

Zinc

The leaves show interveinal necrosis. In the early stages of zinc deficiency the younger leaves become yellow and pitting develops in the interveinal upper surfaces of the mature leaves. As the deficiency progress these symptoms develop into an intense interveinal necrosis but the main veins remain green, as in the symptoms of recovering iron deficiency.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5%.

Boron

These boron-deficient leaves show a light general chlorosis. Boron deficiency results in necrosis of meristematic tissues in the growing region, leading to loss of apical dominance and the development of a rosette condition. These deficiency symptoms are similar to those caused by calcium deficiency. The leaves are unusually brittle and tend to break easily. Also, there is often a wilting of the younger leaves even under an adequate water supply, pointing to a disruption of water transport caused by boron deficiency.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of borax @ 0.2%.

Copper

copper-deficient leaves are curled, and their petioles bend downward. Copper deficiency may be expressed as a light overall The chlorosis along with the permanent loss of turgor in the young leaves. Recently matured leaves show netted, green veining with areas bleaching to a whitish gray. Some leaves develop sunken necrotic spots and have a tendency to bend downward.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of 0.5% CuSO4 twice at fortnightly interval.

Iron

The iron-deficient leaves show strong chlorosis at the base of the leaves with some green netting. The most common symptom for iron deficiency starts out as an interveinal chlorosis of the youngest leaves, evolves into an overall chlorosis, and ends as a totally bleached leaf. Because iron has a low mobility, iron deficiency symptoms appear first on the youngest leaves. Iron deficiency is strongly associated with calcareous soils, anaerobic conditions, and it is often induced by an excess of heavy metals.

Correction measure: Foliar spray of FeSO4 @ 0.5%.

Stage-wise Integrated Pest Management


ManagementActivity
Pre-sowing*
Nutrients• Add well rotten farm yard manure (FYM) @ 8-10 t/acre or vermicompost @ 5 t/ acre. Incorporate at the time of field preparation at 1 week (vermicompost) or 2 to 3 weeks (FYM) before transplanting.
Weeds• At the time of field preparation, adopt stale seed bed technique to minimize the weeds menace in field.
• Keep the nursery weed free by hand pulling of the weeds.
Soil-borne fungus and nematodes, resting stages of insectsCultural control:
• Deep summer ploughing of fields to control nematodes and exposes dormant stages (pupa and larva) of Helicoverpa and Spodoptera and subsequently reduces their initial population build up
• Soil solarization: Cover the beds with polythene sheet of 45 gauge (0.45 mm) thickness for three weeks before sowing for soil solarization which will help in reducing the soil-borne pests including weeds.
• Ecological engineering of tomato with raising African marigold nursery 15 days prior to tomato nursery serves as a trap crop for ovipositing females of Helicoverpa.
• Apply neem cake @ 100 kg/acre.
Damping offCultural control:
• Excessive watering and poorly drained areas of field should be avoided
• Use raised beds: 15 cm height is better for water drainage or use pro-trays for raising seedlings
Biological control:
• Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride 1 % WP @ 9 g/kg of seed.
Chemical control:
• Seed treatment with captan 75% WS @ 20-30 g/kg seed
• Soil drench with captan 75% WP @ 1000 g in 400 l of water/acre
Seed Sowing/ Transplanting stage*
Nutrients• Before sowing, soil testing should be done to find out the soil fertility status. Nutrients should be provided as per soil test recommendations. Generally, tomato needs 40: 24: 24 kg N: P: K/acre-for varieties and 60: 36: 36 kg N: P: K/acre-for hybrids.
• In varieties- Apply 50% of N fertilizer dose as basal before transplanting.
• Apply entire dose of phosphatic fertilizers at the time of last ploughing/transplanting in case of varieties.
• For hybrids, apply nitrogen fertilizer in three equal split doses. First at the time of last ploughing.
• For hybrids, apply potassic fertilizers in two equal splits, first at the time of last ploughing.
• Based on soil test for micronutrients, the deficient micronutrient should be applied in soil at sowing/transplanting.
• Biofertilizers: For seed/seedling treatment with Azotobacter and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (PSB) cultures @ 8-10 g each/kg seed
• For seedling root dip treatment with Azotobacter and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (PSB) cultures @ 250 g each/acre seedlings
Seed and Seedling*
Weed management• Keep the nursery beds weed free by hand weeding.
• Avoid carrying of weed seedlings along with tomato seedlings
• Cultural practices such as crop rotation, line transplanting, intercropping should be adopted to avoid weeds spread and to suppress the weed growth.
Early blightCultural control:
• Use resistant or tolerant cultivars
• Change the nursery beds location every season,h eradicate weeds and volunteer tomato plants, fertilize properly
• Avoid planting overlapping crops in adjacent area.
Chemical control:
• Spray azoxystrobin 23% SC @ 200 ml in 200 l of water/acre or captan 50% WP @ 1000 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or captan 75% WP @ 666.8 g in 400 l of water/acre or copper oxy chloride 50% WP @ 1000 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or copper sulphate 2.62% SC @ 400 ml in 200 l of water/acre or iprodione 50% WP @ 600 g in 200 l of water/acre or kitazin 48% EC @ 80 ml in 80 l of water/acre or mancozeb 35% SC @ 200 g in 200 l water/acre or mancozeb 75% WG @ 400 g in 200 l of water/acre or pyraclostrobin 20% WG @ 150-200 g in 200 l of water/acre or zineb 75% WP @ 600-800 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or ziram 80% WP @ 600-800 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or famoxadone 16.6% + cymoxanil 22.1% SC @ 200 g in 200 l of water/acre or metiram 55% + pyraclostrobin 5% WG @ 600-700 g in 200 l of water/acre
Bacterial wiltCultural control:
• Crop rotations, viz., cowpea-maize-cabbage, okra-cowpea-maize, maize- cowpea-maize and finger millet- brinjal are reported effective in reducing bacterial wilt of tomato
• Rotate with non-host crops, particularly with paddy
• Use seedlings from pathogen free seed beds.
• Restriction of irrigation water flowing from affected field to healthy field
Biological control:
• Neem cake @ 100 kg/acre.
Bacterial leaf spotChemical control:
• Spray streptomycin sulfate 9% + tetracycline hydrochloride 1% SP solution (streptocycline) 40-100 ppm in fields after the appearance of first true leaves. Two sprays, one before transplanting (seed beds) and another after transplanting (main field)
Fusarium wiltBiological control:
• Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride 1% WP @ 9 g/kg seed
• Root zone application: Mix thoroughly 2.5 kg of the T. viride 1% WP in 150 kg of compost or farmyard manure and apply this mixture in the field after sowing/ transplanting of crops
Leaf curlCultural control:
• Raising nursery in protected condition (with net of sufficient mesh size to prevent the entry of vector, whitefly)
• Seeds from disease free healthy plants should be selected for sowing.
• In the nursery all the infected plants should be removed carefully and destroyed. Seedlings infected with the viral disease should not be used for transplanting.
Chemical control:
• Before transplanting dip the roots of seedlings for 15 minutes in imidacloprid 17.8 % SL @ 60-70 ml in 200 l of water/acre for management of leaf curl vector.
NematodesCultural control:
• Crop rotation with cereal crops
• Ecological engineering of tomato with marigold/mustard as intercrops reduces nematode population
• Nursery should be raised in nematode free sites or solarized beds.
Chemical control:
• Apply dazomet technical @ 12-16 g/acre (nursery)
Serpentine leaf minerCultural control:
• Avoid excess use of nitrogen.
• Ecological engineering of tomato with beans as intercrop reduces leaf miner attack.
Vegetative stage
Nutrient Management• In varieties, apply the second dose of N i.e. 13.5 kg N/acre, at 45 days after transplanting.
• For hybrids, apply the second dose of N i.e. 20 kg N/acre at 30 days after planting.
• For hybrids, apply the second dose of potassic fertilizers at 30 days after planting.
• Micronutrient deficiency should be corrected by foliar spray of particular micronutrient.
Weed management• Field should be weed free before 30 days crop stage. Two hoeings between the rows plus hand weeding within the row at 15 and 30 days after planting.
• Mulching with black Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) sheets of 30 micron thickness by burying both the ends into the soil to a depth of 10 cm will avoid weed growth.
Alternaria blight and late blightCultural control:
• Field sanitation
• Destruction of alternate hosts
• Provide light irrigation
Chemical control:
• Spray mancozeb 35% SC @ 200 g in 200 l water/acre or mancozen 75% WP @ 600-800 g in 300 l of water/acre or zineb 75% WP @ 600-800 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or famoxadone 16.6% + cymoxanil 22.1% SC @ 200 g in 200 l of water/acre or cymoxanil 8% + mancozeb 64% WP @ 600 g in 200-300 l of water/acre or azoxystrobin 23% SC @ 200 ml in 200 l of water/acre or captan 50% WP @ 1000 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or captan 75% WP @ 666.8 g in 400 l of water/acre or copper oxy chloride 50% WP @ 1000 g in 300-400 l of water/acre or copper sulphate 2.62% SC @ 400 ml in 200 l of water/acre or cyazaphamid 34.5% SC @ 80 ml in 200 l of water/acre or metrium 75% WG @ 1000 g in 200-300 l of water/acre
Leaf curl disease (vector –whitefly)Cultural control:
• Field sanitation, roguing of affected plants
• Raise barrier crops-cereals (maize or sorghum) around the field.
• Peppermint can be used as repellant plant for whitefly.
• Yellow sticky traps or cards @ 10/acre may reduce the whiteflies population
Biological control:
• Conserve parasitoids such as Encarsia sp. (nymphal and pupal), Eretmocerus spp (nymphal and pupal). etc.
• Conserve predators such as Dicyphus hesperus, (mirid bug), dragonfly, spider, robber fly, praying mantis, fire ants, coccinellids, lace wings, big eyed bugs (Geocoris sp) etc.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% or azadirachtin 5% W/W neem extract concentrate @ 80 g in 160 l of water/acre
Chemical control:
• Spray dimethoate 30% EC @ 396 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 60-70 ml in 200 l of water/acre or thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 80 g in 200 l of water/acre or carbofuran 3% CG @ 16,000 g/acre or malathion 50% EC @ 600 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or oxydemeton-methyl 25% EC @ 400 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or phorate 10% CG @ 6,000 g/acre or spiromesifen 22.9% SC @ 250 ml in 200 l of water/acre
Septoria leaf spotCultural control:
• Removal and destruction of the affected plant parts.
Chemical control:
• Spray with mancozeb 75% WP @ 600-800 g in 300 l of water/acre
Spider mitesCultural control:
• Field sanitation, roguing of affected plants
• Plant tall border crops such as maize, sorghum etc.
Biological control:
• Conserve predators such as predatory mites (Phytoseiulus spp., Amblyseius spp.), staphylinids (Oligota spp.), lady bird beetles, lacewings, predatory thrips, anthocorid bugs (Orius spp.), mirid bugs, predatory flies (syrphid/hover flies) etc.
Chemical control:
• Apply fenzaquin 10% EC @ 500 ml in 200 l of water/acre or spiromesifen 22.9% SC @ 250 ml in 200 l of water/acre
Serpentine leaf minerCultural and Mechanical control:
• Use yellow sticky traps or cards @ 10/acre
Biological control:
• Conserve parasitoids such as Tetrastichus ovularum (egg), Gronotoma micromorpha (larval and pupal), Diglyphus sp (larval), Opius phaseoli (pupal), Chrysocharis sp, Neochrysocharis formosa etc.
• Conserve predators such as lacewings, lady beetles, spiders, fire ants etc.
Tobacco caterpillarCultural control:
• Field sanitation.
• Install pheromone traps @ 4-5/acre or monitoring adult moths activity. Replace the lures with fresh lures after every 2-3 weeks
• Setting up of light trap @ 1/acre
• Ecological engineering of tomato with growing of ovipositional trap crops such as castor.
• Erecting of bird perches @ 20/acre for encouraging predatory birds such as king crow, mynah etc.
Biological control:
• Release egg parasitoid, Trichogramma pretiosum @ 20,000/acre/week four times.
• Spray NSKE 5% against eggs and first instar larva or azadirachtin 5% W/W neem extract concentrate @ 80 g in 160 l of water/acre
• Conserve parasitoids such as Trichogramma chilonis (egg), Tetrastichus spp. (egg), Telenomus spp. (egg), Chelonus blackburni (egg-larval), Carcelia spp. (larval-pupal), Campoletis chlorideae (larval), Eriborus argentiopilosus (larval), Microplitis sp etc.
• Conserve predators such as Chrysoperla carnea, coccinellids, King crow, common mynah, wasp, dragonfly, spider, robber fly, reduviid bug, praying mantis, fire ants, big eyed bugs (Geocoris sp), pentatomid bug (Eocanthecona furcellata), earwigs, ground beetles, rove beetles etc.
• Apply entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) @ 2,50,000 infective juveniles of Steinernema feltiae/sq mt area
Chemical Control:
• Apply trichlorfon 5% GR @ 300 g/acre or trichlorfon 5% DUST @ 300 g/acre or spray indoxacarb 14.5% SC @ 160 - 200 ml in 120-240 l of water/acre or flubendiamide 20% WG @ 40 g in 150–200 l of water/acre or flubendiamide 39.35% M/M SC @ 40 ml in 150-200 l of water/acre or carbaryl 50% WP @ 800 g in 200-400 l of water/acre or chlorantranilioprole 18.5% SC @ 60 ml in 200 l of water/acre or lambda-cyhalothrin 4.9% CS @ 120 ml in 200 l of water/acre or lambda-cyhalothrin 5% EC @ 120 ml in 160-200 l of water/acre or methomyl 40% SP @ 300-450 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or novaluron 10 % EC @ 300 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or phosalone 35% EC @ 514 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or quinalphos 20% AF @ 600-700 ml in 300-400 l of water/acre or quinalohos 25% EC @ 400 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or novaluron 5.25% + indoxacarb 4.5% SC @ 330-350 ml in 200 l of water/acre
Reproductive stage
Nutrients• In varieties, the third dose of N i.e. 13.5 kg N/acre, to be applied at 60 days after transplanting.
• For hybrids, third dose of N i.e. 20 kg N/acre is applied at 60 days after planting.
• Micronutrient deficiency, if any, should be corrected by application of particular nutrients
Weeds• Weeds should be removed from the field to avoid further spread of weed seeds..
Gram pod borerCultural control:
• Field sanitation
• Ecological engineering of tomato with growing intercrops such as cowpea, onion, maize, coriander, urdbean etc. and with growing sorghum or maize in 4 rows all around tomato crop as guard crop.
• Rotate the tomato crop with a non host cereal crop, cucurbit, or cruciferous vegetable.
• Ecological engineering of tomato with repellant plants: Ocimum/Basil and marigold as ovipositional trap crop.
• Erecting of bird perches @ 20/acre for encouraging predatory birds such as king crow, mynah etc.
• Install pheromone traps @ 4-5/acre for monitoring adult moths activity. Replace the lures after every 2-3 weeks
• Setting up of light trap @ 1/acre
Biological control:
• Inundatively release T. pretiosum @ 40,000/acre 4-5 times from flower initiation stage at weekly intervals
• Conserve parasitoids such as Tetrastichus spp. (egg), Telenomus spp. (egg), Campoletis chlorideae (larval) etc.
• Conserve predators such as Chrysoperla carnea, coccinellids, King crow, common mynah, wasp, dragonfly, spider, robber fly, reduviid bug, praying mantis, fire ants, big eyed bugs (Geocoris sp), pentatomid bug (Eocanthecona furcellata), earwigs, ground beetles, rove beetles etc.
• Spray azadirachtin 1% (10000 ppm) neem based EC @ 400-600 ml in 200 l of water/acre or azadirachtin 5% W/W neem extract concentrate @ 80 g in 160 l of water/acre
• Spray Ha NPV 0.43% AS @ 600 ml in 160-240 l of water/acre or Ha NPV 2% AS @ 100-200 ml in 200 l of water/acre in combination with jaggery @ 1 kg in the evening hours at 10-15 days interval on observing the eggs or early instar larvae Spray Bacillus thuringiensis var gallariae @ 400-600 g in 200 l of water/acre
• Apply entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) @ 20-120 crore infective juveniles of Steinernema feltiae/acre.
Chemical control:
• Spray with indoxacarb 14.5% SC @ 160-200 ml in 120-240 l of water/acre or flubendiamide 20% WG @ 40 g in 150-200 l of water/acre or flubendiamide 39.35% M/M SC @ 40 ml in 150-200 l of water/acre or novaluron 10 % EC @ 300 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or carbaryl 50% WP @ 800 g in 200-400 l of water/acre or chlorantranilioprole 18.5% SC @ 60 ml in 200 l of water/acre or lambda-cyhalothrin 4.9% CS @ 120 ml in 200 l of water/acre or lambda-cyhalothrin 5% EC @ 120 ml in 160-200 l of water/acre or methomyl 40% SP @ 300-450 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or phosalone 35% EC @ 514 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre or quinalphos 20% AF @ 600-700 ml in 300-400 l of water/acre or quinalohos 25% EC @ 400 ml in 200-400 l of water/acre
Tobacco caterpillar• Same as in vegetative stage
Bacterial leaf spot• Same as in seed and seedling stage
Leaf curl diseaseCultural practices:
• Staking of plants to avoid touching fruits on ground.
• Same as in seed and seedling and vegetative stages..
MosaicCultural practices:
• Seeds from disease free healthy plants should be selected for sowing.
• The seeds should be thoroughly rinsed and dried in shade.
• In the nursery all the infected plants should be removed carefully and destroyed. Seedlings infected with the viral disease should not be used for transplanting.
• Crop rotation with crops other than tobacco, potato, chilli, capsicum, brinjal, and other solanaceous crops should be undertaken

Tomato Natural Enemies of Pest


Pest

Pests of National Significance
  1. Insect and mite pests
  • Gram pod borer: Helicoverpaarmigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Orissa, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)
  • Tobacco caterpillar: SpodopteralituraFabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Orissa, Karnataka, other states)
  • Whitefly: Bemisiatabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) (Madhya Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)
  • Serpentine leaf miner: Liriomyzatrifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) (Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)
  • Thrips: Thripstabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Frankliniellaschultzei (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
  • Spider mite: Tetranychus spp. (Acarina: Tetranychidae) (Punjab, South India

Tomato Pest & Diseases


Insect and their Symptoms

Serpentine leaf miner

Biology

  • Egg: Eggs are minute in size and orange yellow in colour. The egg hatches in 4 days.
  • Larva: Apodous maggot feeds on chlorophyll mining in between epidermal layers. Full grown maggot measures 3 mm. Larval duration is about 7 days.
  • Pupa: Pupation is in soil. Some pupae are found in leaves. Pupation takes place inside a thin loose mesh of silken cocoon. Pupal period is about 7 days.
  • Adult: It is a pale yellowish fly, measuring 1.5 mm in length. The female fly punctures upper surface of leaf to lay eggs singly. Total life cycle takes 3 weeks.

Damage symptoms

  • Leaves with serpentine mines
  • Drying dropping of leaves in severe cases

Favourable conditions

  • Warm weather conditions are favourable for multiplication.