Crop Establishment of Tomato

Land Preparation
Plow the field at least 2 times Plow at a depth of 15-20 cm Harrow 2 times

Mechanical method

Conventional method

land preparaion using a tractor

land preparaion using a moldboard plow

Construction of beds and furrows

Using Plastic mulch -construct 1.0 m wide beds raised at 20 cm height. - Provide 0.8 space between two adjacent beds.

Conventional method -Construct ridges of alternating 1.0 m -Provide 0.8 m space between ridges

Raised bed w/ plastic mulch Furrow for irrigation

Furrow for irrigation

Planting ridge
0.5 m

0.5 m

0.8 m 1.0 m

1.0 m

0.8 m

1.0 m

Field layout when plastic mulch is used

Field layout for conventional method using planting ridges (wet season)

Fertilizer management
With plastic mulch
Basal
Make a small furrow on each side of the constructed beds. Apply the following fertilizers every 10 linear meters of a planting row: 0.5 kg PCM or any commercial organic fertilizer 0.4 kg ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) 0.4 kg ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) 0.1 kg muriate of potash (0-0-60) Cover the fertilizers with soil, or mix them thoroughly with the soil.

Sidedress
Drench 170 ml (1 small can of sardines) of fertilizer solution per hill. Follow this recommended schedule, and source and amount of fertilizer to apply Time of Application 3 and 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT) Drenching Solution 3 tbsp urea (46-0-0) per 15 L water

7 WAT (fruiting stage)

3 tbsp muriate of potash (0-0-60) per 15 L water

 Conventional method (unmulched)

Basal
Apply 0.5 kg PCM or any commercial organic fertilizer 0.4 kg ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)

Sidedress
dibble fertilizer at the midpoint (25 cm) between plants along the rows distribute it evenly in a shallow furrow 20 cm away from each planting row. For every 2 adjacent beds
Time of Application 3 weeks after transplanting (WAT) Amount of Fertilizer 6 g (0.4 tbsp) urea (46-0-0)/hill; or 120 g (8 tbsp) urea/10 linear meters planting row 6 g (0.4 tbsp) urea/hill and 6 g (0.52 tbsp) muriate of potash (0-0-60)/hill; or 120 g (8 tbsp) urea and 120 g (10.4 tbsp) muriate of potash/10 linear meters planting row

6 WAT

Plastic Mulching
The use of plastic mulch is an improved technology for tomato production. It controls weeds, preserves soil moisture, prevents soil erosion and leaching of fertilizers, and reflects sunlight to repel insect pests hiding under the leaves.

Steps in setting up the plastic mulch: (1) Stretch the plastic mulch over the planting bed, with the silver color on top. (2) Fasten the edges of the plastic mulch to the soil with bamboo slats spaced 1.0 m apart. Note: If bamboo slats are not available, cover its edges with soil using a rake, or by passing a moldboard plow near the edges.

Making Planting holes

1)Measure 0.5 m planting distance 10 cm from the edge on both sides of the plastic mulch and mark the spots. 2)Make the holes following any of these three ways: Using a serrated-lipped tin can (7-10 cm) Using a hot tin can (7-10 cm) Using a cutter

making holes with serrated tin can

punching holes with a hot tin can

making holes with a cutter

Transplanting
With plastic mulch -Flood the beds two days before transplanting to cool down the soil under the plastic mulch and dissolve the fertilizers applied. Conventional method -Irrigate the furrows to dissolve the fertilizers applied and minimize direct contact of the seedling roots with the fertilizers. Transplant 21 to 30-day-old seedlings Transplant only one seedling per hole Plant seedlings at 0.5 m distance between hills. Water the transplants immediately with a sprinkler.

Trellising
During the wet season, raise tomatoes in trellises to avoid vines and fruits from touching the soil. Contact with wet soil results to rotting and disease infection, especially when the plant tissues are injured. Construct a 1.0-1.5 m high trellis 3 weeks after transplanting.
one seedling per hole

Note: Height of trellis is depend on the variety planted.

Water Management
During rainy season, irrigate as the need arises. During dry season, irrigate once a week until fruit setting.When fruit have set, irigate every 10-14 days interval. Irrigate after every fertilizer application.

1)

Give at least 3 importance of using Plastic mulch?

2) What is the plant population of tomato in 500 m2? Given: Between hills: 0.5 m Between row :1.0 m Between double row:0.8 m