Cultivation

Field-grown tomato

Solanum lycopersicum L. var. lycopersicum

Growing tomatoes in open fields requires the selection of determinate varieties with a short development cycle and consideration of yield dependence on temperature regimes and the risks of waterlogging.

In the reference 84 varieties crop Tomato, where this is mentioned in the description.

Determinate and standard (determinate-dwarf) forms, which are characterized by compactness and stress tolerance, are preferred for open-field cultivation. An important condition is the use of early and mid-early varieties, as when growing in temperate climates, fruit development is limited by the duration of the warm period.

The architecture of the tomato root system depends on the planting method: with the transplant method, roots occupy a depth of up to 50 cm, whereas the direct seeding method allows the taproot to penetrate to a depth of up to 2 meters. Planting patterns are designed taking into account the need for free air circulation for the prevention of fungal infections.

The plant is extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations: when temperatures rise above 33–35 °C, pollen becomes sterile, and below 15 °C, development slows down. Uncontrolled moisture conditions in the open field increase the risk of late blight infection and provoke fruit cracking during sharp fluctuations in soil moisture levels.

General information about the subject — on the page Open field.

Sources8

Varieties of Tomato mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.