In Kenya, tomatoes hold significant value as a commercial crop for horticulture farmers. With a robust market demand, cultivating tomatoes proves to be relatively effortless. It particularly thrives among greenhouse farmers who hold it dear. The key factors contributing to a successful tomato cultivation venture are as follows:
- Soil: Optimal tomato growth requires deep and well-drained soils. Such soil conditions facilitate proper root development and prevent waterlogging issues.
- Variety Selection: Choosing high-yielding and disease-resistant tomato varieties plays a pivotal role in achieving success. These varieties ensure a bountiful harvest and enhance plant resilience against common tomato ailments.
- Staking: Proper staking techniques are crucial for successful tomato cultivation. Adequate support systems, such as trellises or stakes, enable the plants to grow upright, reducing the risk of fruit rot and facilitating efficient management practices.
- Disease Control: To safeguard tomato plants from blights and cankers, disease control measures are paramount. Farmers should prioritize preventive measures such as crop rotation, regular inspection, and timely application of appropriate fungicides or pesticides.
Tomatoes thrive within a temperature range from moderate to hot, along with moderate to high humidity levels. Moderate rainfall is ideal, but it can be supplemented through irrigation methods or greenhouse cultivation. Tomatoes generally struggle in cool and waterlogged conditions, making it essential to provide the appropriate environment for their growth.
Tomato Farming Techniques
Seed Bed Preparation:
Transplanting tomato seedlings from a nursery bed yields better results in terms of plant performance. Whenever possible, it is recommended to plant them in trays for optimal growth. Establishing a well-prepared nursery seedbed is crucial for ensuring strong plant establishment and vigorous early growth.
To create a suitable seedbed, raise the soil to a height of approximately 15cm and leave spaces of around 30cm or more between beds for walkways. The soil should be thoroughly tilled, making it easier for small seeds to break through the surface. As a preventive measure against nursery damping off and to provide a boost to the seeds, soak them in a mixture of AFRIKELP (2ml per liter of water) and RODAZIM (1ml per liter of water) for 4 minutes before sowing. It is important to note that certain tomato varieties like Cal j tomato should not be buried deep into the soil but rather covered with a very light layer of soil. You can use your finger to create shallow lines for planting the seeds and cover them with soil, just slightly.
Maintain a spacing of approximately 15cm between rows to allow sufficient room for each tomato plant. To increase moisture levels and minimize the splash effect during watering, it is advisable to cover the bed with hay or dry grass.
Watering the seedbed is best done in the morning. The seeds are expected to sprout within 8-10 days. Continue watering until about a week or two before transplanting, at which point the frequency can be reduced to harden the seedlings. Typically, the seedlings will be ready for transplanting after approximately one month. Regularly scout for pests and diseases, as early detection and treatment significantly enhance the survival rate of the seedlings.
Planting Tomatoes:
Two days before removing the seedlings from the nursery, it is recommended to administer AFRIKELP (2ml/liter) to the seedlings. This application will promote a quicker recuperation from transplant shock. It is advisable to carry out the transplanting process when the diameter of the seedling stems measures between 4-6 millimeters or when they reach a height of approximately 1 foot. It is important to avoid planting weakened or diseased plants.
Spacing for Tomatoes
- Space the seedlings at intervals of 45cm by 60cm when planting.
- Dig the planting holes to a depth of 6 inches.
- If you’re applying manure, carefully mix it into the soil before planting.
- Apply DAP fertilizer at a rate of 80kg per acre.
- To combat soil-borne insect pests and soil fusarium wilt, drench the soil with a mixture of 15ml IMAXI and 20ml RODAZIM per 20 liters of water.
After watering the nursery bed adequately, follow these steps:
- Remove the seedlings from the nursery bed.
- Keep them in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight.
- Plant one seedling in each hole and cover the roots with soil, firming it gently around the roots.
- Ensure sufficient watering, but avoid excessive water.
Crop Growth: Fertilizer Application, Irrigation and Weeding
Top-dress the plants after 4 weeks with CAN or UREA at 50kgs per acre. Keep the field free from weeds, particularly in the first 30 days. Avoid hand weeding as this may destroy the delicate roots. Apply AMBAR at 30ml/20ltrs between the rows and plants, to suppress any seed weeds before they sprout, and to kill any growing broad-leafed weeds. Use the appropriate nozzle for best results. AMBAR works best when weeds are not higher than 4 inches and smaller than tomato plants.
During flower set, apply another dose of Harmony 30-40ml/20ltrs targeting the flower buds. You can also mix with soluble foliar fertilisers which have high potassium and calcium. This will avoid calcium end rot and other related fruit diseases later on, as well as protect against flower/fruit abortion. After flower set, avoid fertilizers which are rich in nitrogen, eg CAN, NPK, Urea.
Irrigate to keep the soil moist, without being soggy or muddy. An irrigation cycle of twice a week using 10,000 to 20,000ltrs per acre is usually sufficient for tomatoes.
Pest and Disease Control
Vigilance is key when it comes to protecting your crops from blight, mildew, canker, and various pests. During cool and wet conditions, blight tends to be most active, so it’s crucial to carefully scout for any signs of these diseases. As a preventive measure against blight, apply an early spray of Stage 20ml/20ltrs. If the weather remains cold and wet, repeat the application after 7 days. Continuously monitor for disease signs and promptly address them by using Stage 250 EW on a weekly basis.
In warm and dry conditions, it is essential to be vigilant for signs of insect damage. Common pests such as spider mites, leaf miners (tuta absoluta), thrips, whiteflies, caterpillars, and aphids can cause significant harm to your crops. Take regular steps to control their population. Additionally, pay attention to the vegetation around the field edges.
To control aphids and worms, particularly during fruit set, apply a spray mixture of JACKPOT at a rate of 12.5 ml/20Ltr. This will help prevent moth eggs from being laid on the fruits. For stubborn leaf miners and red spider mites, use a combination of ROMECTIN at a rate of 20ml/20ltre and IMAXI at a rate of 12.5ml/ltr. In the evening, apply BAMAKO at a rate of 5gms/20ltrs on the crop and along the field edges to control whiteflies
Staking and pruning
To maximize tomato productivity, adopting vertical plant support methods can be highly beneficial compared to traditional open-air approaches. This involves tying the plants vertically using strings and poles. Connect two poles with a wire and suspend the plants using strings tied to the wire. By growing the plants vertically, multiple fruit clusters can develop along the stem, leading to increased yield. It’s crucial to provide support early after transplanting while the plant is still young to prevent stem damage or breakage later on.
Another important practice for optimal tomato growth is pruning. Pruning involves removing side shoots, old leaves, diseased leaves, and laterals. This should be carried out on a weekly basis to eliminate side shoots before they become established. Regular weeding is also essential as weeds compete with the plants for vital nutrients.
After each pruning or staking operation, it is recommended to apply AFRIKELP at a rate of 40ml/20ltr. This application helps the plants recover from any shock they may experience during the process.
Harvesting
Depending on the specific tomato variety planted, the fruits are typically ready for harvesting starting from the 70th day onwards. It’s important to monitor the maturity of the tomatoes to ensure optimal flavor and quality. Once ripe, carefully remove the fruits from the stems, taking care not to damage them. Use clean and disinfected containers to collect the harvested tomatoes, preparing them for transport. This ensures that the tomatoes remain fresh and free from contamination during the journey.
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