Industrial tomato

Industrial tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are a crop of significant commercial value. They are primarily used to produce products such as juice, pulp, sauces, and preserves. This annual crop requires specific conditions to yield high-quality fruit.

Botanical characteristics

Family and genus: Industrial tomatoes belong to the family Solanaceae and the genus Solanum. Numerous varieties exist, each featuring distinct characteristics tailored to its intended use.

Types and varieties: There are various strains of industrial tomatoes, each differing in yield, disease resistance, and fruit quality. The varieties are also classified according to the fruit’s size, shape, and color.

Physiological characteristics

Growth and needs: Industrial tomatoes thrive best in temperatures between 21°C and 27°C. They require ample sunlight and well-drained soil for optimal growth.

Nutrition: To grow correctly and produce high-quality fruits, tomatoes need a sufficient supply of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Morphological characteristics

Roots: Tomatoes’ deep and expansive root systems enable the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil’s deeper layers. The roots are fibrous and extensively branched, providing the plant with stability.

Stem: The tomato’s stem is erect, firm, and hairy, featuring numerous branches. Depending on the variety, the shoot can reach heights ranging from 1 to 3 meters.

Leaves: Tomato leaves are compound, consisting of multiple leaflets. They are large, green, and covered with hair. The leaves possess serrated edges and are crucial for the process of photosynthesis and energy production.

Reproductive characteristics

Flowers: Tomato flowers are small and yellow, and they appear in clusters. They are self-pollinating and contain both male and female reproductive organs (hermaphrodites). Pollination is typically facilitated by wind or insects, though self-pollination is quite common.

Fruits: Tomato fruits are fleshy, with a shape that can be round, oval, or cylindrical, depending on the variety. The fruit contains many seeds and is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants.

Seeds: Tomato seeds are small, flat, and covered with a thin, gelatinous membrane. Each fruit may contain several seeds, which are used for subsequent sowing or commercial marketing.

Climate requirements

Growing industrial tomatoes requires specific climatic conditions to achieve high yields and produce quality fruit.

Temperature

Industrial tomatoes grow best at temperatures between 21°C and 27°C. Seeds germinate best at temperatures between 20°C and 25°C. Plant growth is optimal at temperatures between 18°C and 25°C during the day and 12°C and 18°C at night. Temperatures below 10°C can damage young shoots and delay growth. Temperatures above 30°C can affect flowering and fruit set, while temperatures above 35°C can cause sunburn to the fruit.

Rainfall

Industrial tomatoes require moderate to high rainfall, ideally 500-800 mm per year. However, excessive rain can cause drainage problems and increase the risk of fungal diseases.

Sunlight

Industrial tomatoes require full sunlight for optimal growth and development. They need at least 8–10 hours of direct sunlight per day. Good sunlight exposure enhances photosynthesis, contributing to the production of healthy and tasty fruit. Support systems can help ensure uniform light exposure.

Wind

Mild wind can help reduce leaf moisture and the risk of fungal diseases. Strong winds can cause physical damage to plants, including stem breakage and the loss of flowers and fruits. Installing windbreaks can protect plants from damage.

Moisture

Relative humidity is essential for growing tomatoes. Ideally, relative humidity should be between 50% and 70%. Excessive moisture can lead to fungal diseases, while insufficient humidity can cause dehydration and stress in plants.

Soil requirements

The selection of suitable soil and proper soil preparation are critical to the success of industrial tomato cultivation. Industrial tomatoes thrive in well-drained, fertile soils. Sandy, sandy loam, and clay loam soils are ideal for this purpose. The soil must be well-aerated, allowing free water drainage to avoid excessive moisture and root rot. Heavy clay soils with poor drainage are unsuitable due to the drainage problems and water accumulation they cause, which can lead to root rot and the development of diseases.

Industrial tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8, ideally. You can add lime to increase the pH if it’s too low (acidic). If the pH is too high (alkaline), you can add sulfur to lower it.

Soil preparation

The soil should be cultivated to a depth of 20-30 cm to loosen and aerate. Tillage helps to break up clods and smooth the soil surface. Basic fertilization before sowing includes the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The amounts of nutrients should be determined based on soil diagnostic analyses. Fertilizer application can be done through drip irrigation or by incorporating granular fertilizers into the soil before sowing.

Basic Fertilization

Basic fertilization is critical for the healthy growth and high yield of industrial tomato plants. Each nutrient has a specific role in plant growth and is required in different amounts.

  • Nitrogen (N)

    Nitrogen is essential for chlorophyll synthesis, leaf growth, and plant germination. It is usually applied in two doses: the first before sowing and the second during plant growth.

  • Phosphorus (P)

    Phosphorus is essential for root development, flowering, and fruit setting. It is applied before sowing and incorporated into the soil to make it available to young plants.

  • Potassium (K)

    Apply potassium before sowing and during fruit development to improve quality and yield.

  • Magnesium (Mg)

    Magnesium is a key component of the soil and is essential for plant and soil growth.

  • Calcium (Ca)

    Calcium is essential for developing cell walls and preventing blossom and fruit rot. We apply it as calcium sulfate or calcium nitrate, both in the soil and through foliar fertilization.

  • Sulfur (S)

    Sulfur is vital for synthesizing amino acids and proteins. Sulfur can be applied as ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate.

  • Micronutrients

    Zinc (Zn) is essential for the synthesis of enzymes and the regulation of growth. Cell wall development and flowering depend on boron (B). Iron (Fe) is necessary for chlorophyll synthesis and respiration. Copper (Cu) is vital for cell wall growth and defense against disease.

    Micronutrients are required in small quantities, usually less than 1 kg per 100 kg of fruit production.

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Foliar applications

Foliar fertilization is a technique that delivers nutrients directly to plants’ leaves. This method is beneficial for quickly correcting nutrient deficiencies and enhancing plant growth at critical stages. The advantages of foliar applications include the immediate absorption of nutrients and the effective correction of defects.

The best times for transhumance are early morning or late afternoon, when the temperature is lower and the humidity is higher. Avoid periods of intense sunshine to prevent burns on the leaves.

The indications for foliar applications are

  • Nitrogen (N) is essential during the active growth of leaves and shoots.
  • Phosphorus (P) enhances the fruit set during flowering.
  • Potassium (K) is essential for the development of fruits.
  • Magnesium (Mg) is essential during the period of intense photosynthesis.
  • Micronutrients (Fe, Mn, B, and Zn) are essential during active leaf development and flowering.
Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a key nutrient management practice in processing tomato cultivation, as it combines irrigation with the application of fertilizers, delivering nutrients directly to the rhizosphere. In this way, it ensures better utilization of water and fertilizers, uniform plant growth, and high productivity.

The primary nutrients supplied are nitrogen (N) for leaf development and fruit set, phosphorus (P) for root system establishment and flowering, potassium (K) for fruit quality and ripening, calcium (Ca) for the prevention of physiological disorders (such as blossom end rot), magnesium (Mg) for photosynthesis, and micronutrients (B, Zn, Mn, Fe) for flowering, fruit set, and overall crop metabolism.

Drip irrigation allows for precise adjustment of crop nutrition at each growth stage, reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies, and contributes to the production of high-quality and consistent yields, thereby improving raw material for industrial processing.

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The doses and growth stages mentioned are indicative and are always adjusted according to the recommendations of the agricultural consultant. Because rational fertilization is always assessed in relation to:

  • Expected yield
  • Soil characteristics
  • Planting density
  • Environmental conditions
  • Growth stage
  • Plant vigor
  • Cultivation duration
  • Hybrid

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