Tomato Production.
- Variety Selection
When choosing tomato varieties, prioritize the following:
- Fruit quality and market preference
- Resistance to diseases and tolerance to climatic conditions
- Growth habit (bushy or vining)
- Maturity period and adaptability to your region
Types of Tomatoes:
Determinate (Bush Type): Ideal for open fields. These grow to a certain height, set fruit once, and mature uniformly.
They require minimal staking.
Indeterminate (Vine Type): Commonly grown in greenhouses. These grow continuously and produce fruits over a long
period. They require support structures.
Recommended Determinate Varieties (Open Field):
- Ansal F1, Rafano F1, Raja F1, Nova, Harmony F1, Zara F1
- For BW-free fields: Nyati F1, Terminator F1, Rionex, Star 9068, Kilele F1, Twiga F1, Eden F1, Ranger, Rambo F1
- Ecological Requirements
- Water Source: Should be near the field or supported by tanks and drip systems.
- Crop Rotation: Avoid planting tomatoes after potatoes or pepper. Observe a 3-month break.
- Land Topology: Slightly sloping fields are best for drainage.
- Soil: Deep, well-drained loamy soil with pH between 6.0-7.5. Use lime for acidic soils and gypsum for alkaline soils.
Conduct soil testing for proper fertilizer planning.
- Nursery Establishment
- Raised beds: 15cm high with 30cm walkways
- Fine soil texture for better seed emergence
- Sow seeds 1cm deep and 15cm apart
- Mulch to retain moisture and minimize splashing
- Water in the morning; germination starts around day 8
- Reduce watering before transplanting to harden seedlings
- Drench the nursery using:
- Bamako/Confidor/Loyalty (10g/20L) +
- Ridomil Gold/Matco72/Victory/Trinity Gold (50g/20L)
- Transplanting
- Water nursery before uprooting
- Transplant early morning or late evening using a trowel
- Maintain soil ball around roots
- Spacing: 60cm (between rows) × 45cm (within rows)
- Fertilizer Application
- Basal: Phosphate for early root growth
- Topdressing:
- At flowering: Yara Nitrabor or Calcibor
- Two weeks later: NPK Yara Winner
- After first harvest: Mix Nitrabor/Calcibor : Yara Winner (1:2)
Recommended Foliar Sprays:
- Goldchance Super Flowers, Omex Murex K, Yara Vita Power Boost, Goldchance Multi-K, Easy Gro Flower and Fruit
- Irrigation
Ensure adequate but not excessive watering. Avoid waterlogging and nutrient leaching.
- Staking (Support)
Start early after transplanting. Use poles and wires to support plants. Increases yield and reduces stem breakage.
- Pruning
Remove suckers, side shoots, old/diseased leaves weekly.
Avoid removing productive branches.
Yellowing lower leaves should also be removed to prevent disease. - Weed Management – Weed regularly to reduce competition and disease pressure.
- Pest Control
Major Pests:
- American Bollworm, Cutworms, Red Spider Mites, Tuta absoluta, Nematodes
Effective Insecticides (rotate use):
- Rapid 120EC, Occasion Star 200SC, Relay 150SC, MitePawa 1.8EC, Escort 19EC, Cyclotron 450EC, Lexus 247SC,
Kingcode Elite, Umeme Top 50EC, Pentagon 50EC
Disease Management
Tomato Blight (Fungal):
- Symptoms: Brown patches on leaves/stems/fruits
- Fungicides: Ridomil Gold, Trinity Gold, Acrobat, Absolute Star, Orvego, Matco 72, Luna Sensation, Mistres
Bacterial Wilt:
- Use certified seeds and avoid infected soil
Blossom End Rot:
- Maintain consistent watering
- Apply calcium-rich foliar fertilizers: Calmabon, Calmag, Ferrari Gold
Harvesting
Harvest begins from 65 days after transplanting; time may vary by variety.