Zambia Agribusiness Society

Staking and pruning tomatoes are essential practices for maintaining healthy tomato plants in the home garden. By selecting the right tomato varieties, preparing the garden properly, and employing the correct staking and pruning techniques, gardeners can ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. This article will provide key insights into staking and pruning tomatoes to help you achieve successful growth in your garden. Key Takeaways Select disease-resistant tomato varieties to prevent common plant diseases. Amend the soil with organic matter for optimal tomato growth and fruit production. Properly stake tomato plants to support their growth and prevent damage from heavy fruit loads. Regularly prune tomato plants to remove suckers and maintain airflow, which can improve fruit quality. Avoid over-pruning tomato plants as it can reduce yield and stress the plants. Selecting the Right Tomato Varieties Determining Your Growing Conditions ...

Tomato damaged by Tuta absoluta Tuta absoluta’s threat to Solanaceous crops originated from South America before spreading to other parts of the world. The common name for Tuta absoluta is the tomato leaf miner , named so because of the pest’s preference for tomato. This dangerous pest favours tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and sometimes potato (S. tuberosum). Tomato leaf moth has a life cycle of 29 to 38 days depending on the temperature. The pest prefers higher temperatures meaning the higher the temperature, the faster it will reproduce and the more damage it will inflict on the plants. This is not to imply that it is not there during the cold season, in my experience, this is an ever present enemy of progress. Female leaf moths can lay up to 260 eggs for their entire lifetime, a hell lot of eggs right? The life cycle is such that when fertilized eggs are laid, they hatch into Larva (caterpillar form) which transforms into a pupa which later becomes an adult insect (moth). ...

If you are planning to grow tomatoes on a commercial scale (i.e. 20,000 plants per hectare), here are some tips to consider: 1. Conduct market research: Before starting a commercial tomato production operation, research the local market to identify potential customers, suppliers, and competitors. Consider factors such as demand, pricing, distribution channels, and regulations. 2. Develop a business plan: Create a business plan that outlines your production goals, budget, marketing strategy, and risk management plan. Include details such as crop selection, land use, labour requirements, equipment needs, and financial projections. 3. Choose a suitable site: Select a site that meets the requirements for tomato production, such as soil type, climate, water availability, and access to transportation and markets. Consider factors such as land cost, zoning, and environmental regulations. 3. Plan your crop rotation: Tomatoes are susceptible to soil-borne diseases, so it is ess...

Planting dates ·          All year round in frost free areas or greenhouse. Days to Harvest ·          80 to 120 days depends on cultivar. Harvesting duration ·          60 Days Yield ·          20 000 - 60 000kg. Soil requirements ·          pH 5.0 to 5.5, ·          Sandy loam soils, ·          Soil testing is key. Seed ·          120 - 160g in a nursery seed bed of about 60m 2 . ·          7 - 10 days emergence. ·          Floating seed trays can also be used. ·          Ensure free drainage to avoid damping off. Trans...