Tomato Nursery Cultivation Suggested
Punjab Agriculture Department's Recommendations
The Punjab Agriculture Department has urged farmers to begin cultivating tomato nurseries from October to mid-November, utilizing fertile, well-drained loamy soil for optimal plant growth.
Key Points:
- Around 50 grams of seed with an 80% germination rate is sufficient for one acre. This can produce a nursery covering approximately four marlas of land.
- Farmers are encouraged to use plastic nursery trays filled with compost and a mixture of well-rotted farmyard manure and soil or sand (1:3 ratio).
- Autumn tomato nurseries should ideally be raised in compost-filled trays to protect from heat and reduce transplanting shock.
Cultivation Techniques
The department recommends the following cultivation techniques:
- Green netting and covering tunnels with fine mesh to shield plants from heat and sucking pests like whiteflies.
- Thinning: Once seedlings develop their first true leaf, thin them to maintain a spacing of 4-5 centimeters between plants. This promotes stronger stems.
- Fertilization: Apply Nitrophos solution at 0.1 percent (one gram per litre of water) when seedlings have two leaves.
- Transplanting: Ideally, transplant when seedlings reach 6-9 inches in height.
Year-Round Tomato Demand and Preservation
The department highlights the year-round demand for tomatoes used in cooking, salads, and processed products like ketchup, pulp, puree, juice, and paste. They encourage kitchen gardening and appropriate preservation practices to manage seasonal shortages.