Do you want to earn bulk profits from cauliflower farming? Ditch the complex ways of cauliflower cultivation and follow the 16 easy steps for adequate growth and profitable yield of cauliflower. A step-by-step guide to implementing the organic growth of cauliflower varieties, including preparation, selection, tips, and technique to achieve high yield. Table of Contents 15 Steps to Boost Cauliflower Production. Introduction to Cauliflower Cultivation Light and soil requirements for cauliflower growth Pick the seed patiently Choose a suitable place for growth. Correct planting process of cauliflower How to grow a massive head of cauliflower Requirement of water Expand the size Adequate spacing Removal of bolt Fertilization Reasons for small head Management of weed Reasons for spreading heads Preventions Harvesting FAQs Name three cauliflower varieties? Which seeds are best to grow cauliflower varieties? How to do after-care for soil? Introduction to Cauliflower Cultivation Cauliflower is a nutrition-packed vegetable that grows in several parts of the world in the winter season. The Cole family consists of cauliflower, Broccoli, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Collards, and Kohlrabi. The scientific name of cauliflower is Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis. The vegetable is even available in summers because of technologically supported storage. Cauliflower dominate many Indian household meals and offer a vibrant taste to the food. The attractive color also attracts and activates appetite, boosts the metabolism, and motivates healthy functioning of the body. Cauliflower cultivation is developing roots due to health advantages. Like broccoli is a favorite meal option of fitness or gym freaks. How often do you eat the cauliflower?  Well, here are well-tested, proven 16 ways to increase the growth of cauliflower cultivation. Cauliflower farming Light and soil requirements for cauliflower growth Sandy and loamy soil is the top preference for growing cauliflower varieties. The soil must be well-drained, moist, and rich with organic nutrients. The cauliflower extracts moist very fast from the soil to avoid buttoning in the crop. The soil’s pH level must lie between 6.5-6.8, which makes the soil acidic and indirectly protects from root diseases.  Due to improper light reach to cauliflower heads, they turn pale or yellow, which customers do not prefer. Sunlight plays a vital role in producing white head cauliflower varieties. Very often, farmers cover the head of the flower to keep them bright white  Pick the seed patiently Most farmers make the same mistake of not reading information available on seed packets. It results in the crop being unsuitable for the USDA Hardiness Zone.  The maturity and growth must match the present climate as cauliflower cultivation requires 15-21 degrees temperature to harvest on time. Either sow in autumn or spring; choose seeds with a minimum maturity period with temperature acceptance or tolerance. Choose a suitable place for growth Search for a solar farm with partly shades to grow cauliflower varieties to gain all the energy from the sun. Sun’s energy will activate the growth even faster and turn into a big white head cauliflower. The right time and care can boost cauliflower plant’s growth in mixed soil without any geographical boundaries. Correct planting process of cauliflower Prepare the land before the plantation to provide adequate growing space and air circulation. Make 30 inch gaps between rows and 18-24 between each plant. Plant the crop deep down to avoid the overweight issue during the growing phase. The plant of cauliflower varieties requires adequate moisture and can’t stand in dry soil at high temperatures. If you want to harvest in fall, plant 8-12 weeks before the autumn’s first frost with a temperature around 23 degrees. If the temperature falls and becomes extra cold for the crop, consider covering with old milk jugs. Covering will prevent button development. How to grow a massive head of cauliflower To grow the big head of cauliflower, opt for organic or hybrid seeds at the right temperature. It takes 50-55 days to produce the cauliflower with big heads and loads of nutrients. Requirement of water As the cauliflower varieties extract moisture from the soil, irrigation is most important but make sure to assess the soil and climate before watering. Water supply of 1 inch once a week is recommended, such that it should soak in 6-8 inches of soil. The most amount of water is needed till the germination of seeds and formation of the flower. In summer, watering once a day becomes necessary but continuously check the soil needs and climatic conditions.   Expand the size Cauliflower farming Maintain the moisture in the soil; keep checking the temperature to maintain the right ecosystem for cauliflower varieties. Try to cut down the hindrance in the way of fuller crop growth. Some conditions are humidity, cold or extremely hot weather, and pests. Weeding should be done whenever needed or whenever the weed growth is observed. Adequate spacing Make rows for plantations of different cauliflower varieties to avoid confusion. Make rows with a 30-35 inches gap and a 21-25 inches gap between each plant. This practice will promote air circulation and prevent over-shadowing. Removal of bolt pluck the bolts developed in the cauliflower due to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Fertilization Fertilizers are proven heroes for boosting nutrients and moisture in the soil and high-yield crops. The cauliflower crop needs NPK(48:24:24 Kg/acre.) full doses of P and K as basal, half dose N at 15 days after transplanting and the remaining N after 45-55 days. Reasons for small head There are plenty of reasons for small head cauliflower, such as soil deficiency, seedling stress, overcrowding, climate fluctuation, inadequate drainage, less moisture, insects, and diseases. Management of weed Weed control once a week is essential. It directly protects the soil. Choose the organic options for weeding as they become a hindrance to yield. Reasons for spreading heads The reasons behind spreading heads of cauliflower varieties can be random climate fluctuation, ruined head of crop, drought, insufficient irrigation, and less nutrition through the soil. Decrease irrigation at the maturity phase, let the flower breathe, avoid excess NPK and partly cover the farm to prevent excess rainfall water. Care tips for yield  Keep an eye on beetles, worms, and other pests to save both the cauliflower heads and roots. Provide enough space and avoid overshadowing to promote individual growth. Maintain moisture in the soil, control the fertilizer portions, formulate the uncertainties, and prepare for it. Preventions Follow a few practices that directly or indirectly incorporate health into the crop. Such activities are container plantation, resistance cauliflower varieties, crop rotation, and avoiding excess nitrogen. Harvesting Once the crop reaches the growth phase, the heads grow quickly. It takes 50-70 days to ripen cauliflower varieties fully. After the leaves start turning pale, in 7-10 days it is ready to harvest. Cut the cauliflower from the main stem with few leaves attached to it, to protect the head. Make sure to export them as soon as possible as they lose quality fast. Cauliflower farming FAQs Q1. Name three cauliflower varieties? – Here are the three wide cauliflower varieties: First season crops include early synthetic, Pusa Katki, Early kunwar, Pant gobhi 2, and 3. Major season crops include Punjabi Giant 35, Pant synthetic, Punjabi Giant 26, and Pant shubhra. Last season crops such as Dania Kalimpong, Snowball 16, and Pusa snowball 1 and 2. Q2. Which seeds are best to grow cauliflower varieties? – These are the five cauliflower varieties with short maturity phases and high-temperature tolerance. Snow king Snow crow. Snowball 123 Imperial -10 Self-Blanche Q3. How to do after-care for soil? – The cauliflower varieties draw plenty of moisture from the soil and leave it dry. Prepare a consistent routine to keep the soil moist and fertile for the next crop session. Spread organic fertilizers, compost, manure, vermin-waste, liquid fertilizers, and proper irrigation. Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

  Maize rewards so much nutrition to our body but do you know where maize gains the food? Well, it gains nutrients from the soil, indicating the first requirement for maize farming. Only premium quality soil can take the load of maize, and to maintain the nutrient level of soil, it needs a regular boost. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic fertilizers will rejuvenate soil fertility and soil nutrition. The maize crop is a stable food option and a significant crop for farmers in many parts of the world. Let’s read about the fertilizers that are best for both soil and maize crops. Table of contents Nutritional needs of maize crop NPK and other nutrients for growth Manure & compost Fertilizer for irrigated and rainfed maize crop FAQs What is the pre-treatment of biofertilizer and seeds? What are the options available in the Organic management of nutrients? What is the ratio of NKP for maize crops? Nutritional needs of maize crop Maize farming Maize crop requires high-level nutrition from soil which needs premium quality fertilizers. Perform a soil test before adding the proportion of fertilizer to the ground. Maize crop needs 40 % N, 25% P,  20% K, and the remaining small portion of micronutrients for better and high yield. NPK and Zn are the best sources for crop growth and a good yield of maize, either organic or inorganic fertilizer, is required for the entire crop growth period. Fertilizer requirements for the maize crop will be based on selected varieties. NPK and other nutrients for growth Apply recommended NPK fertilizers as per soil test. If there is no soil test then adopt a blanket recommendation of 27.4 kg N, 4.8 kg P, and 18.4 kg K. per acre.  check for the extra husk or crop residue and organic waste present in the soil then we have to give nutrients as per the requirement of the soil and crop. Excess nitrogen can degrade soil fertility, and crop growth and reduce the yield of the crop. Phosphorus helps in the overall development and root growth of crops. It also reduces resilience and frostbite. Potassium plays a vital role in regulating water, and sugar in the crop. Potassium is essential at the mid-stage i.e., cob initiation and silking stage of maize crop. The application of micronutrients, like calcium, sulfur, Magnesium, Boron, and zinc are great nutrients required for crops and soil which will help in the retention of soil fertility and also increase the crop yield.  Manure & Compost To increase the productivity of the maize crop, well-decomposed compost is necessary. Mix the soil with  FYM of 4-5  tonnes per/acre 25 days before sowing the crop in order to increase soil fertility, crop growth, and crop yield.  Fertilizer requirement for irrigated and rainfed maize For Irrigated maize, choose FYM or compost at  4-5 tonnes per acre during land preparation before sowing, application of 1-2 kg of Azospirillum will help in increasing the soil fertility for good crop growth.  Follow the same amount of FYM or compost or coir pith in rainfed soil and spread it. Next, take ten packets of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria, or 4 kg of Azophos, and leach in the ground. Rainfed maize crop needs more fertilizer than compared to irrigated maize crop. FAQs Q1. What is the pre-treatment of biofertilizer and seeds? Ans. Seeds must be treated with 600g/ha of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria.  Q2. What types of organic fertilizers are used to improve the nutrients in maize crops by adding soil? – There are the best four fertilizers options that can help the growth and add the right amount of nutrients for the maize crop:- Green manuring. Application of soil Azospirillum/Azotobacter with VAM and PSB. add straw or compost and leave 10-30% of crop residues like wheat, paddy, and maize crop. Pre-treatment of regular and hybrid seeds. Q3. What is the ratio of NPK for maize crops? – Make sure to check the requirement of NPK in the soil and prepare a balanced mixture of 140 N, 65 P, and 50 K – Kg/ha-1. Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.

Are your crops often falling victim to relentless losses every winter, due to some persistent and troublesome powdery growth?   The root cause of this problem is Powdery mildew disease. Powdery mildew poses a substantial threat to your crops in cool and humid weather conditions prevalent in winter season, putting your yield at risk and causing significant losses. It can cause yield loss of about 20 – 40%, depending upon the intensity of infection. But don’t fear, we’re here to arm you with the knowledge and strategies to control this disease. Look out for visual signs to identify the fungus and take proactive steps at the right time to combat it and safeguard your crop.   Powdery Mildew Causing Pathogens:   Some common powdery mildew fungi that cause the disease in different crops:  Podosphaera leucotricha: Apple, pear  Sphaerotheca fuliginea: Cucurbits, beans, peas, lettuce  Erysiphe graminis: Wheat, barley, oats, rye  Sphaerotheca pannosa: Rose  Leveillula taurica: Chilli, eggplants, tomatoes, castor, red gram  Uncinula necator: Grapevines  Erysiphe cruciferarum: Cabbage, cauliflower, mustard  Erysiphe cichoracearum: Bhendi, tobacco, sunflower, sesame, gourds  Erysiphe polygoni: Cabbage, carrot, beet root black gram, green gram, peas, beans, coriander, lentils  Oidium sp: Papaya, chrysanthemum.  Spot Powdery Mildew Symptoms in field:  Small, water-soaked spots appear on the undersides of leaves, eventually transforming into powdery patches of mycelium and spores.  Typically, the infections are focused around the leaf veins.  Infected leaves may exhibit curling or distortion, causing them to appear deformed.  As the disease progresses, the affected leaves turn necrotic and give ‘scorched appearance’. In severe cases, the leaves may dry up and eventually fall off.  Affected plants show stunted growth, resulting in smaller and underdeveloped fruits or vegetables.   The powdery growth on leaves can interfere with the plant’s ability to carry out photosynthesis effectively. This can lead to a decline in overall plant vigor.  On immature fruit, the mildew initially manifests as circular patches of white mycelium and spores, which can merge together and cover the entire fruit surface.  During the ripening stage, the fungus may vanish, leaving behind grey scars on fruits. These scars hinder the growth of the underlying tissue, causing deformities in the fruit.  What factors cause this infection in crops?  The fungus thrives in cool temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C, which are often experienced during the winter season in India. Additionally, the relatively dry weather conditions during this period create an ideal environment for the fungus to flourish.  Dry humid weather following rainfall creates favorable conditions for the growth and spread of powdery mildew.   Dense planting, overcrowding, or inadequate spacing between plants can obstruct air circulation, creating a more conducive environment for the disease to thrive.  Weak or stressed plants are more susceptible to powdery mildew infection. Factors such as nutrient deficiencies, improper irrigation, waterlogging, or other environmental stresses weaken the plants’ natural defenses, making them more vulnerable to the fungus.  Reduced sunlight during winter months can create shaded areas in the crop canopy, providing a favorable environment.  Infected plant debris or residues from previous crops can serve as a source of inoculum for new infections in winter crops.   Preventive Measures:  Use powdery mildew resistant or tolerant varieties like Balwant bottle gourd, GS-10 Pea Seed, Sarpan F1 Hybrid Ridge Gourd, Urja Harita Pea Seeds.   Ensure adequate spacing between plants to promote good air circulation.  Avoid overhead irrigation to minimize the leaf wetness.  Remove the crop debris and weeds in the field to reduce the chances of over-wintering spores.  Early planting can help to reduce the peak season infection.  Prune the plants to increase air movement and light penetration.   Apply balanced fertilizers to the crops to increase their ability to tolerate disease.   Remove and destroy the fallen and affected leaves.  Measures to control Powdery Mildew in crops:  Product name  Technical content  Dosage  Biological Management  Anand Dr Bacto’s Fluro (or)  Pseudomonas fluorescens  2.5 ml/lit of water  Dr.Bacto’s Ampelo Ampelomyces quisqualis  Fungo Raze Plant Extracts  1 – 2 ml/lit of water  Chemical Management  Sultaf Fungicide Sulphur 80% WP  2 gm/lit of water  Dhanustin Fungicide Carbendazim 50% WP  0.6 gm/lit of water  Luna Experience Fluopyram 17.7%+ Tebuconazole17.7% SC  1 ml/lit of water  Amistar Top Fungicide  Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% SC  1 ml/lit of water  Merivon Fungicide Fluxapyroxad 250 G/L + Pyraclostrobin 250 G/L SC  0.2 – 0.5 ml/lit of water  Taqat Fungicide Hexaconazole 5% + Captan 70% WP  2 gm/lit of water  Equation Pro Fungicide Famoxadone 16.6% + Cymoxanil 22.1% SC  1 ml/lit of water  (Follow product’s label to know the right time of application)  Discover How to Control Powdery Mildew in Roses: Learn More

Trichoderma is a genus of free-living fungi that are commonly found in soil and root ecosystems. They are filamentous fungi that grow rapidly and produce a variety of enzymes and secondary metabolites. Trichoderma is known for its ability to colonize plant roots and provide several benefits to plants, including increased nutrient uptake, improved plant growth and protection against various pathogens. It is versatile in nature and interacts well in all environments including roots, soil and foliage. It interacts with its environment by different mechanisms like antibiosis, mycoparasitism, enzyme secretion and hyphae interactions to suppress plant pathogens.   Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum are two Trichoderma fungal species prominent in present agriculture trends. Get a comprehensive overview on beneficial effects of Trichoderma, and how they can be utilized through various methods and products through this article.  How does Trichoderma benefit soil and plants?  Trichoderma species can suppress the growth of harmful plant pathogens like Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Pythium by colonizing the plant roots and producing enzymes that break down the pathogen’s cell walls.  Improves plant growth and development by producing plant growth-promoters like auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, which stimulate root and shoot growth.  It helps plants to tolerate drought stress by producing compounds that enhance the plant’s water-use efficiency.  Improves soil health by enhancing soil structure, increasing soil organic matter and promoting nutrient cycling  They play a crucial role in bioremediation of soil, contaminated with synthetic pesticides and herbicides by degrading them.   Used for production of transgenic plants with increased resistance to fungal infections viz tobacco and potato plants evolved after introduction of endochitinase gene from Trichoderma has increased resistance to Alternaria alternata, A. solani, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia spp.  Trichoderma can be used in a variety of crops, including vegetables, fruits, cereals and ornamental plants.  It is a safe and eco-friendly option for plant disease management. It is non-toxic and does not have negative impacts on non-target organisms, such as beneficial insects and soil microorganisms.  Methods of Application:  Seed treatment: Trichoderma can be applied to seeds as seed treatment to protect from soil-borne pathogens. Seed treatment can be done by coating the seed with a Trichoderma formulation and then shade dried before sowing. This method is especially useful for crops that are susceptible to damping-off disease.   Seedling treatment: Trichoderma can be applied as root dip to improve root health and control soil borne pathogens that infect the roots. Soak the roots of seedlings in Trichoderma suspension before planting. This method is especially useful for the seedlings that are vulnerable to root rot.   Soil application: Trichoderma can be mixed with FYM or well decomposed manure and then broadcasted into the field. By doing so, it can colonize organic matter and provide disease suppression along with nutrient cycling benefits when compost is applied in the soil.  Foliar application: Trichoderma can also be applied to the leaves of plants as a foliar spray. This method is useful for controlling foliar pathogens, such as powdery mildew, and for stimulating plant growth and enhancing the plant’s defense responses.  Drench application: It can be applied as a soil drench by mixing Trichoderma formulation with water and applied directly to the soil around the plant. This method is useful for controlling soil-borne pathogens that infect the roots or that survive in the soil as spores or mycelium.  Pathogens widely controlled by Trichoderma spp:  Trichoderma is effective in controlling a wide range of plant diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens and soil borne nematodes.  It mainly controls disease causing pathogens like Fusarium, Phytopthora, Pythium, Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia and Alternaria, thus controlling root rot, collar rot, stem rot, damping off, wilt, blight/leaf spot, loose smut, kernel bunt and other diseases.  Best quality Trichoderma products available for sale on BigHaat:  Product Name  Method of Application  Dosage  Anshul Tricomax  Foliar spray  3 gm/lit water  Soil application  2 kg + 100 kg of FYM per acre. Mix them and broadcast  Sun Bio Derma or Sun Bio Derma- H  Seed treatment  Mix 10 ml of the product in cold jaggery solution. Evenly spread them on the seed surface.  Seedling treatment  10 ml/lit water  Soil application   1 lit of product + 50 – 100 kg of well decomposed manure. Mix them and apply  Drenching  10 ml/lit water  Fertigation  5 – 10 ml/lit water   Foliar Spraying  5 ml/lit water  T.Stanes Bio cure F solid  Seed treatment  5 gm per kg of seed  Seedling treatment  10 – 20 gm/lit water  Drip  5 gm/lit water  Suckers & Bulb treatment  20 gm/lit water  Soil application  1.2 kg + 500 kg of manure  Dr.Bacto’s Dermus  Seed treatment  6 ml/kg of seed  Soil Application  10 ml/lit water  Foliar Spray  2.5 ml/lit water  Dr. Bacto’s Herz 4K  Seed treatment  20 gm/kg of seed  Ecoderma Bio Fungicide  Seed treatment  10 gm/lit water per kg seed  Seedling dip  10 gm/lit water  Drenching  Soil Application  1 kg + 50 – 100 kg of FYM/manure  Surya Treat Bio Fungicide  Seed treatment  10 gm per kg seeds  Soil application  15 gm/lit water  Multiplex Nisarga  Foliar spray  3 gm/lit water  Soil Application  1 – 2 kg of product + 100 kg of FYM per acre. Mix them and broadcast in the soil.    NOTE:  Foliar spray can be given in early morning or late evening hours.  Trichoderma, as a biocontrol control agent, is compatible with biofertilizers but is incompatible with chemical fungicides. So, remember not to mix Trichoderma with fungicides.  Seed treated with Trichoderma should only be shade dried. Do not expose it to direct sunlight.  Do not apply Trichoderma when the soil is dry because moisture is essential for its growth and survival.  Check the product’s description to find the specific crop and diseases to be managed and the time of application.  Conclusion: Trichoderma is a versatile fungus that can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions, including different soil types, temperatures, and pH levels. It has evolved a range of mechanisms to compete with other microorganisms and provide benefits to plants in different environments. These characteristics make it a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture, as it offers a natural and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides.  

Are you planning to grow tomatoes? That’s fantastic! But before you dive into the exciting planting process, it’s important to ensure that your field is well-nourished and properly prepared.  In this article, we will be sharing some valuable insights on the best practices for making your field ready for a successful tomato crop. So, let’s get started!  Best Practices for Preparing Your Field for Tomato Cultivation Tilling or Ploughing The first step in preparing your field is tilling the land, also known as ploughing, which involves cutting, breaking, and inverting the soil. Tilling mechanically loosens and breaks up the soil and also helps in creating an optimal environment for seed germination and root growth. This process enhances air and water flow to the plant roots, thereby promoting healthy development.   Tilling the land also ensures that the minerals present in the soil are well-mixed and easily accessible to the crops, further enhancing their growth. This step sets a strong foundation for your tomato cultivation.  Note: While tilling is crucial, make sure that you are not over-tilling the soil, as excessive tilling can lead to the loss of soil structure and fertility, erosion, and damage to beneficial soil microorganisms. Striking a balance between loosening the soil for planting and maintaining its overall structure and health is essential.  Harrowing The next step after tilling is harrowing, which smoothens and pulverizes the soil to a shallow depth. It helps create a finer seedbed and prepares the soil for subsequent operations.  Harrowing is followed by the application of Farmyard Manure (FYM). FYM supplies nutrients and enhances the solubility and availability of nutrients in the soil. It also boosts microbial activity, further enriching the soil.  Recommended dose of FYM: 12 tons of FYM/acre   Making Ridges and Furrows The last step in tilling involves making ridges and furrows. These make intercultural operations easier throughout the growth cycle.   Recommended spacing for ridges and furrows: 60-75 cm. This specific spacing helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases, ensuring the overall health of your tomato plants.  Application of Biofertilizers and Bioagents To further enhance soil health and protect against pests and diseases, consider using beneficial microorganisms.                                                                                                             Recommended beneficial microorganisms: Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and Paceliomyces.  These beneficial microorganisms can be mixed with neem cake, Pongamia cake, and FYM for improved results.  Application method: Broadcast the basal dose 7 to 10 days after applying biofertilizer.   Setting up the Irrigation-Drip System Additionally, for improved irrigation and water use efficiency in your tomato field, it is recommended to lay down inline drip lateral pipes.  Recommended pipe specifications: Use pipes with a diameter of 12 or 16 mm.  Note: These pipes should be laid at a 2-feet distance throughout the field.  Conclusion Remember, a well-prepared land is crucial in tomato cultivation as it lays the foundation for a high-quality yield. Make sure to follow the best practices and essential steps listed in this article for optimal crop growth and a higher yield. 

There are over 2000 varieties of tomatoes that are being cultivated in India. India is the second largest tomato producer. In the year 2021, India alone produced about 20.33 million tons. Tomato is not a vegetable, it is a fruit and is further classified as a berry. Tomato is a crop that can be grown anywhere without a farm i.e on a small piece of land adjacent to your house. It is one of the most popular gardening crops. Tomato is also a crop for value addition, like ketchup, jam, pickle, and sun drying.  Difficulty Level: Easy  Selection of Seeds As mentioned before, Tomato planting has over 1000 varieties to choose from. Some of the popular varieties are Vaishali, Rupali, Rashmi, Rajni, Pusa Ruby, Pusa Early Dwarf, Pusa 120, Co 1, Sioux, Best of All, Marglobe, Roma, Punjab Chuhra, Arka Vikas, Arka Saurabh, Arka Meghali, Amish Paste, Baylor Paste, Bulgarian Triumph, Carol Chyko’s Big Paste, Grandma Mary’s, Bellstar, Big Red Paste, Canadian Long Red, Denali, Hungarian Italian, Oroma, Palestinian, Peasant, Polish Paste, Red Sausage, Roma, San Marzano.  Tomato seed treatment Tomato seed treatment is essential for good germination and good yield. Tomato seed treatment with Trichoderma viride 4 g/kg of seeds or Carbendazim 2 g/kg of seeds, 24 hours before sowing is proven effective.  Nursery Bed Preparation for Tomato A nursery of 3 cents area is sufficient to produce enough seedlings for the one-hectare farm. Cover half of the nursery using 50% shade ned and cover the side of the nursery with an insect-proofed net. Form raised beds of 1 m width and convenient length and place HDPV pipes at 2m intervals for further protection with polythene sheets during rainy months. For the soil mixture for the raised bed mix sterilised coco peat at 300 kg with 5 kg neem cake along with Azospirillum and 1kg of Phosphobacteria. Conventionally cocopeat is used as portray filling. Depending on the region and the soil fertility the number of tomato saplings varies. In the south, for example, there are over 20,000 seedlings used per hectare, which requires 238 portrays (98 cells) with a spacing requirement of 90 x 60 x 60 cm in paired row system. In the north, however, the conventional practice is to plant much fewer saplings, around 10,000 per hectare. This requires 119 portrays (98 cells).  Sow one treated seed per cell in the protrays. Cover the seeds with cocopeat, and stack the trays above each other and cover it with a polythene sheet till germination. After six days, once the germination starts, place the germinated ones separately on the raised bed inside the shade net. Water with rosecan every day and drench with NPK 19:19:19 at  0.5% (5 gm/lit water) 18 days after sowing.  Land Preparations for Tomatoes Plough the land to a fine tilth. Apply 25 t/ha of FYM as basal manure during the last ploughing and form ridges and furrows at 60 cm spacing. This proceeds by the application of 2 kg/ha of Azospirillum and 2 kg/ha of Phosphobacteria by mixing with 50 kg of FYM. The fields are advised to be lined with drip lines for better irrigation. This way the water requirement can be regulated. Five days before planting the crop, spray of Pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha (or) Fluchloralin 1.0 kg a.i/ha as pre-emergence herbicide is advised although not mandated. Then transplant the 28-day-old plants. Fill the gaps that have been left on the 7th day after transplanting.  Soil Type Requirements for tomato Tomato crop requires good soil that is rich in organic matter. Loamy soil with a neutral pH range of 6.5 – 7.5 is ideal.  Conclusion Tomato cultivation is practised all throughout India. It is one of the hardest crops and requires less maintenance.   FAQs Suggest some popular varieties of tomato?  States  Varieties/Hybrids  Tamil Nadu  Saaho tomato seeds (To 3251), Lakshmi tomato, Abhilash tomato, Heemsohna tomato, Polyana tomato  Andhra Pradesh  Saaho tomato seeds (To 3251), Abhilash tomato seeds, Heemshikhar tomato, US 440 tomato, Sikinder tomato  Telangana  Saaho tomato seeds (To 3251), Abhilash tomato seeds, US 440 tomato, Heemsohna tomato, SW 1508 hybrid round tomato  Karnataka  Saaho tomato seeds (To 3251), Heemsohna tomato, Abhilash tomato seeds, US 440 tomato, US 800 tomato, Heemshikhar tomato  Madhya Pradesh  Saaho tomato seeds (To 3251), Abhilash tomato seeds, NS 4266 tomato, Heemshikhar tomato, Heemsohna tomato, To-3150 tomato    2. How is seed treatment done for tomato? Treat the tomato seeds with BACTVIPE (Pseudomonas fluorescens) bio-fungicide at 5-10 ml/kg seed in 50 ml of water or SANJEEVNI (Trichoderma viride) bio-fungicide at 8 – 10 gm/kg seed in 50 ml water. Then shade dry the seeds 20 – 30 minutes before sowing.  How is the soil mixture prepared for tomato nursery protrays required for an acre main field? The soil mixture for protrays is prepared by mixing 121 kg of sterilized Sterling Neopeat Bale (Cocopeat) with 2 kg neem cake along with Biofertilizers like Azospirillum (Pioneer Agro) and Phosphobacteria (Pioneer Agro) each at 4 kg/acre.   (Note: Change the biofertilizer recommendation as per your nursery area)  4. What is the general dose of fertilizer recommendation for tomato? The fertilizer recommendation dose for tomato varieties is 60:40:20 kg/acre and hybrid is 81:101:101 kg/acre. The commercial quantity for field application is listed in the table below:   Nutrient  Fertilizer   Varieties (per acre)  Hybrid (per acre)  Organic  FYM  10 ton  10 ton  N  Urea or  130 kg  176 kg  Ammonium Sulphate  293 kg  395 kg  P  Single Super Phosphate (SSP) or  250 kg  631 kg  Double Super Phosphate (DSP)   125 kg  316 kg  K  Muriate of Potash (MOP)  33 kg  169 kg  Sulphate of Potash (SOP)  40 kg  202 kg  Zn  (For Zn deficient soil)   ANSHUL ZINC EDTA-FS (ZN 12%) micronutrient  Foliar application: 0.5 – 1 gm/lit water   Soil application:10 kg  Foliar application: 0.5 – 1 gm/lit water  Soil application:10 kg  B (For B deficient soil)  ALLBOR Boron 20%  Foliar spray: 1 gm/lit water  Foliar spray: 1 gm/lit water      5. What is the ideal season for sowing tomatoes? May – June and November – December is the ideal season for tomato cultivation.  6. What pre-emergence herbicide can be used to control weeds in tomato field? Spray pre-emergence herbicide BACF PLOD (30% EC Pendimethalin) at 1000 ml/acre. Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.