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GREEN-Seeds.com
vegetables & herbs
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Fresh
Market Tomato
Lycopersicon
esculentum
 Tomatoes, tree tomatoes
(also called tamarillos), tomatillos, husk tomatoes (also called ground
cherries) and the Japanese Lantern plant are all in the Solanaceae family.
The tomatillo and related
husk tomato belong to a different genus (Physalis) and differ from
tomatoes in that their fruit is encased in a thin husk.
Tomatillos produce large
branched plants. The fruit are picked when they have reached full size and
are still green. After the husk is removed, the fruit is often mixed with
hot peppers and other ingredients to make green salsa. Varieties of tomatillo
are: Tomatillo Green, Tomatillo Purple (purple fruit), and Rendidor (commonly
used in Mexico).
The husk tomato or ground
cherry fruit is much smaller than the tomatillo, is very sweet and used
mainly for jam and preserves after the fruit has ripened and turned yellow.
Varieties of husk tomato are: Husk Tomato Goldie, Husk Tomato Strawberry.
The Japanese Lantern
plant is used as a cut ornamental and is most often marketed in the fall.
The ornamental portion is an expanded calyx enclosing a pea-sized, globose
berry.
The tree tomato belongs
to still another genus, Cyphomandra betacea, and is a tropical plant
not suited for outdoor production in the Pacific Northwest. Its fruit, promoted
by New Zealand, is marketed in the U.S.A. under the trade name Tamarillo.
The fruit is egg-shaped, may be red or yellow, and is bland or semi-sweet.
Tree tomato plants are a small perennial bush or shrub 6 to 10 feet tall,
frost sensitive, and bear after the second year.
TOMATO VARIETIES
Tomato varieties mature
over a wide range, commonly from 75 days for early cherry types to 85 days
for early full size fruit types, 100 days for medium, and 110 days for later,
full season varieties from direct seeded plantings. Transplanted plantings
would be about 25 days less.
Anti-oxidant and anti-cancer
compounds found in tomatoes and other vegetables have become important considerations
in the choice of varieties. Tomatoes with high levels of Vitamins A and
C are being developed. Two high-color lines, utilizing the "Crimson" gene
are available (see varieties list, below). Watch catalogs for these new
types and consider testing them in your production situation.
Long
shelf-life varieties:
Increased understanding
of the genetics of fruit ripening has now allowed biotechnological procedures
and conventional breeding methods to be used to develop a new generation
of varieties that produce "long-life" fruit, that is fruit that is slow
to soften once it reaches the red-ripe stage. The extra shelf life ammounts
to about 10-20 days.
Varieties that are available
to commercial growers: Elanor, Lenor, and T1011. These are all mid-season
to late in maturity and are suggested for trial only since market acceptance
and suitability for production in the Pacific Northwest is not known. They
are available through Ochoa Seed Co., Gilroy, CA, and Frontier Seed Co.,
Glendale, AZ, only.
Five other varieties
known by the designation "Flavr Savr" are not available to commercial growers
except by special license from Calgene Inc., Davis, CA.
Curly-top
virus resistance:
In the arid, irrigated
areas east of the Cascades tomato production may be severely limited by
curly top virus. Commercial production is limited to the use of varieties
with resistance. Resistant varieties have been developed and released by
Dr. Mark Martin through the A.R.S., U.S.D.A. curly top breeding program
at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, WA.
These varieties are all red-fruited: Columbia, Rowpac, Roza, Saladmaster,
released in the 1960s for fresh market, and a "CVF" series released in the
1980s for processing and fresh market. Limited quantities of seed and descriptions
of these varieties is available from:
Dr. Erik
Sorensen, WSU Cooperative Extension, Courthouse, Pasco, WA 99301, 509/545-3511
Dr. Dennis
Johnson, WSU, Rt. 2, Box 2953-A, Prosser, WA 99350-9687, 509/786-2226
Mr. Gary
Pelter, WSU Cooperative Extension, Courthouse, Ephrata, WA 99882, 509/754-2011
ext.412
Standard
tomato varieties, red:
Bush types: Early to
Mid-season - Santiam, Oregon Spring, Oregon Star, Oregon Pride (all seedless,
with the latter two being large-fruited, resembling paste tomatoes); Fireball,
Willamette. For trial
:
Agriset 761, Coldset, Earlirouge, Equinox, New Yorker, Pilgrim (early,
multiple disease resistance), Solar Set, Springset.
Bush types: Mid-season
to Late - Carmen, Celebrity. For trial
:
Better Boy, Carnival, Heinz 1350, Medford, Milagro, Monte Carlo, Pik Red,
Pik Rite, Setmore, Summerset, Sunny, Supersonic. Research in the Hermiston
area indicates that Baja, Keno, Oregon Spring, and Valerie performed well.
Also for trial
(most are late varieties): Big Beef (All America, medium-early beefsteak,
VFF, Alt, St, N, TMV), Bonita (jointless VFF), Colonial (jointless stem,
green shoulder, large), Daybreak (VFF, Asc, St), Merced (tolerant to gray
wall), Solar Set (reported high-temperature tolerance but susceptible
to gray wall), Spectrum 882 (solid, multi-purpose, medium to large oval
fruit).
High
Color Varieties: For trial
: Spitfire,
Cobia.
Staking:
Early Girl. For trial
: Keno.
Cherry
type, red, indeterminate:
Sweet l00.
For trial
: Large German Cherry.
Cherry
type, red, determinate:
Small Fry,
Sweetie. For trial
: Cherry Grande.
Grape Tomato: 
Indeterminate
cluster tomatoes with some market potential. Suggested varieties for trial
are Santa and Juliet. Juliet fruit is larger and not as popular as that
of Santa. Santa seed may no longer be available because it has become
a proprietary item.
Paste
tomatoes:
Chico III,
Heinz 2653, La Rossa, Milano, Oroma, Vega (VFF).
Yellow:
Large fruited
types: Jubilee, Lemon Boy. For trial
: Golden
Boy, Orange Queen.
Cherry type,
determinate: Gold Nugget.
Cherry type,
indeterminate: Yellow Plum.
Yellow
and red striped:
Tigerella,
Tigerette.
Greenhouse:
See separate file on Greenhouse
Tomato
Novelty:
White: Great
White (beefsteak type), White Beauty.
Yellow:
Italian Gold, a golden Roma type.
Pink - Ponderosa
Pink (beefsteak type).
Yellow and
red stuffing: Yellow Stuffer, a pepper-like tomato, hollow, for stuffing.
VARIETY SELECTION FOR DISEASE AVOIDANCE
Varieties
are listed below by their resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium
wilts and root-knot nematode.
Variety Maturity Date Resistance*
`Better Boy' Late VFN
`Better Boy F.' Early VFN
`Big Set' Late VFN
`Carmen' Late VFNT
`Carnival' Late VFNT
`Casino Royale' Mid VFNT
`Cavalier' Late VFNT
`Celebrity' Late VFNT
`Chico III' Mid F
'Fireball VF' Mid VF
`First Lady' Mid VFNT
`Heinz 1350' Mid VF
`Heinz 1370' Late F
`Jetstar' Mid VF
`Merced' Mid VFT
`Milagro' Late VFNT
`New Yorker' Early V
`Pik Red F.' Early VFN
`Pik Rite F.' Early VFN
`President' Mid VFNT
`Red Pak' Mid VF
`Rutgers' Early F
`Santa Fe' Late VF
`Small Fry' (cherry) Early VFN
`Spring Giant' Early VF
`Springset' Early VF
`Sunny' Mid VF
`Sunray' (yellow) Mid-late F
`Supersonic' Mid VF
`Toy Boy' (cherry) Early VFN
`VFN-8' Mid-late VFN
`VFN Bush' Mid VFN
`Wonderboy' Late VFN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* V = Resistant to Verticillum wilt
F = Resistant to Fusarium wilt
N = Resistant to root-knot nematode
T = Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus
SEED AND SEED TREATMENT
Tomato seed numbers
approximately 11,500 per ounce. Most of the new hybrids are sold by seed
number. Use only treated seed from a reliable seed source. Some seed companies
now can furnish tomato seed that has been "vigorized" or "conditioned" to
allow germination under adverse (cool) temperature conditions.
Research in Indiana
has demonstrated a benefit from starter or "pop-up" fertilizers. In direct
seeded plantings, spray directly on the seed a solution of 2-6-0 (made up
of 1 part 10-34-0 : 4 part water) at 1 pint per 100 lineal feet of row (use
1/2 this rate on sandy soils).
SITE SELECTION
To reduce
risk from Verticillium wilt and other diseases avoid using fields
in your rotation plans in which eggplant, tomato, pepper, potato, strawberry,
or caneberries have been planted.
TRANSPLANT PRODUCTION
Use l or more ounces
of seed per acre, depending on the variety and required plant population.
Sow them in the greenhouse 6 to 8 weeks before field transplanting. Seedlings
are transplanted to other flats when the first true leaf has formed. Veneer
bands or jiffy pots may be used to advantage. Space between the plants should
be 2 to 2.5 inches. Provide adequate ventilation during the heat of the
day, particularly after watering, which should be completed before l p.m.
Water plants before signs of wilting appear.
Tomato is a warm-temperature
vegetable and requires a long growing season. Transplants should be kept
close to the following temperatures: 64 to 70 F during the day, 55 to 61
F at night until the seedlings are thinned out.
When the first true
leaf has formed, early flowering can be increased by a one-week cold treatment
at 54 F. Caution: Do not subject transplants with 4-5 true leaves to cold
temperatures (around 50 F nights and 60-65 F days) for more than a week
since this will increase catfaced fruit.
TRANSPLANTING
Condition transplants
for 1-2 days before transplanting to the field by slightly reducing the
moisture and maintaining approximate outdoor temperatures. Do not over-harden
(see note on catfacing above). Thoroughly water plants l2 to l4 hours before
transplanting to the field. Plants should be dug or cut loose from the soil
when being transplanted; ensure the roots are not exposed to sun or drying
wind.
Apply a starter fertilizer
solution to the transplants when transplanting to the field. Select starter
fertilizers that have the highest level of phosphorus available, such as
10-52-17, 11-48-0, 11-55-0 dry fertilizers or 10-34-0 liquid fertilizer.
Make up a stock solution of 3 lbs of the dry, such as 10-52-17, or 2 pints
of liquid 10-34-0 per 50 gallons of water. Use 1/2 pint of of this stock
solution per plant, applying the solution directly to the plant roots when
setting in the field.
SPACING
Use rows
4-5 feet apart and space transplants 12 to 48 inches apart in the row,
depending on variety.
Direct seeding
should be done with early varieties only. Drop 1-3 seeds per hill and
space 9-12 inches apart in rows spaced 48-60 inches.
Tomatillos
are usually grown from transplants planted in rows 5 feet apart with a
2.5-foot spacing in the row.
TEMPERATURE
Recent research
indicates that a temperature of 68-78 F is ideal for optimal growth.
WINDBREAKS
Use windbreaks
as necessary especially in eastern Oregon. Grain windbreaks have been
found effective when grain rows are used for each tomato row. Winter wheat
varieties, rye, or oats can be used. Spring barley may be used for February
plantings. Seed grain thickly, 2-3 seeds per inch. This requires about
10 lb of barley, 9 lb of wheat, or 8 lb of rye to seed grain rows 12 feet
apart. Windbreaks may be cultivated out after the tomato plants are well
established. If they are not, windbreaks should not be allowed to touch
the tomato plants because abrasion of the enlarging fruit can cause that
fruit to be misshapen.
FERTILIZER
A soil test is the most
accurate guide to fertilizer requirements. As a general guideline before
transplanting, broadcast and disc in the following:
Nitrogen:
75-100 (N) lb/acre
Phosphate: 100-150 (P2O5) lb/acre
Potash: 100-150 (K2O) lb/acre
Sulfur: 25-30 (S) lb/acre
Side dress with 25-50
lb N/ acre when first fruits appear.
Where mulching and trickle
irrigation are practiced, additional nitrogen can be fed through the trickle
irrigation system at 15 lb/acre when the first fruit begins to set and an
additional 15 lb/acre four weeks after. To prevent clogging or plugging
from occurring use soluble forms of N (urea or ammonium nitrate), and chlorinate
the system once a month with a l0 to 50 ppm. chlorine solution. Chlorinate
more frequently if the flow rate decreases.
Avoid excessive nitrogen
applications which can cause excessive vine growth and delay maturity.
PLASTIC GROUND MULCHES AND ROW COVERS
The use of black plastic
ground mulch is recommended, especially in Western Oregon, to enhance earliness
and yield. Plastic mulch controls weeds, conserves moisture, may increase
soil temperature, and protects fruit from ground rots. For black plastic
mulch to increase soil temperature, it is critical that the soil surface
be smooth and that the plastic be in close contact with the soil. This can
only be achieved by laying the plastic with a machine designed and properly
adjusted for this task. Clear plastic much is superior for heat transfer
to the soil but does not control weeds.
A new generation of
plastic mulch films allows for good weed control together with soil warming
that is intermediate between black plastic and clear film. These films are
called IRT (infrared-transmitting) or wavelength-selective films. They are
more expensive than black or clear films, but may be cost-effective where
soil warming is important. (See also section on spacing).
Plastic, spunbonded,
and non-woven materials have been developed as crop covers for use as windbreaks,
for frost protection, and to enhance yield and earliness. They complement
the use of plastic mulch and drip irrigation in many crops. Some sources
of these materials and information on their use are:
American AgriFabrics,
Alpharetta, GA. Phone 770-663-700, fax: 770-663-7690, email: dan@agrofabric.com.
Ken-Bar, Inc., Reading, MA. Phone: 800-336-8882, fax: 781-944-1055, email:
kenbarinc@msn.com.
Non-woven or spunbonded
polyester or propylene, and perforated polyethylene row covers, may be used
for 4 to 8 weeks immediately after transplanting or direct seeding. Covers
should be removed when plants begin to flower or if temperatures become
excessive under the covers. Do not allow temperatures to exceed 90 F for
more than two or three consecutive days. Row covers increase heat unit accumulation
by 2 to 3 times over ambient. Two to four degrees of frost protection may
also be obtained at night. Soil temperatures and root growth are also increased
under row covers as are early yields, and in some cases total yields.
IRRIGATION
Apply water uniformly
to reduce incidence of blossom end rot. Irrigate carefully after fruit ripens
to reduce fruit decay and cracking. A total of 12-15 inches may be needed
in western Oregon. Approximate summer irrigation needs for the Hermiston
area have been found to be: 3.5 inches in May, 5.0 in June, 7.5 in July,
and 7.0 in August. Research has shown that the use of drip irrigation under
black plastic mulch is superior to sprinkler irrigation with black plastic
mulch. Yields usually increase dramatically.
Soil type does not affect
the amount of total water needed, but does dictate frequency of water application.
Lighter soils need more frequent water applications, but less water applied
per application.
CHEMICAL FRUIT RIPENING
Ethephon (Ethrel) may
be used for uniform ripening for once-over harvest and to enhance ripening
in late varieties, or during late seasons, or when ripening is delayed.
The proper use of Ethrel can advance harvest about 5-7 days. Fruit do not
increase appreciably in size after ethephon treatment
Several factors must
be considered for effective use of Ethrel:
- Because Ethrel can cause some defoliation and increase incidence of
sunburned fruit, do not treat fields where growth is poor or the plants
are stressed.
- Do not apply Ethrel if temperatures are expected to exceed 90 F.
- Apply when fruit is at 5 to 10% red/pink/breaker stage. Ethrel is
effective only on fruit that is at least mature-green (fruit has gel
inside). The key to good results is good coverage.
- Apply 1.25 to 1.75 pints Ethrel (2 lb/gal formulation) in 40-80 gal
water/acre. Use higher rates when day temperatures are less than 64
F and tomato growth is dense. Ideal temperature range is 75-85 F.
- Avoid spraying more than can be harvested in one day as sprayed fields
do not "store" as well as unsprayed.
- Varietal differences in foliage vigor and leaf characteristics affect
Ethrel uptake and potential for fruit injury and ripening response.
Experiment carefully and know how your variety responds.
- Do not exceed 6.5 pints/acre total, or excess residues may develop.
Consult product label for full instructions and cautions.
Harvest fruit at proper maturity, generally l4 to 2l days after treatment.
Observe treated fruit frequently for condition of crop ripening. Cool
temperatures can slow Ethrel absorption and color development and extend
the period between treatment and harvest.
HARVESTING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE
Tomato yields vary
with area and number of harvests. Yields may range from 230 to 270 cwt/acre,
or about 1200 20-lb boxes/acre. With appropriate plasticulture techniques,
yields of as high as 3200 20-lb boxes/acre have been reported.
Tomatoes may be
harvested at the mature green stage (when the fruit cavity is filled
by gel), semi-ripe (with different amounts of red pigmentation) or fully
ripe, depending or marketing requirement. They are very perishable and
subject to surface and internal damage, and must be handled accordingly.
Tomatoes are sensitive to chilling injury which differs with maturity
of the fruit. Proper temperature management for ripening and storage
are critical to maintain quality.
STORAGE (quoted form USDA Ag. Handbook # 66):
Store mature-green
tomatoes at 55 to 70 F; ripe fruit at 45 to 50 F and a relative humidity
of 90 to 95%.
Mature-green tomatoes
cannot be successfully stored at temperatures that greatly delay ripening.
Tomatoes held for 2 weeks or longer at 55 F may develop abnormal amount
of decay and may fail to develop a deep red color. The optimum temperatures
for ripening mature-green tomatoes range from 65 to 70 F. Tomatoes will
not ripen normally at temperatures above 80 F. A temperature range of
57 to 61 F is probably most desirable for slowing ripening without increasing
decay problems. At these temperatures the more mature fruit within the
mature-green range will ripen enough to be packaged for retailing in
7 to 14 days.
Fruit held below
50 F become susceptible to alternaria decay during subsequent ripening.
Increased decay during ripening occurs after 6 days' exposure at 32
or 9 days at 40 F. Mature-green tomatoes may also be damaged by low
temperatures in the field. A high percentage of tomatoes exposed to
temperatures below 50 F for a week before harvest would probably develop
alternaria rot even at recommended storage temperatures. Some loss due
to chilling can be expected in fall-grown tomatoes exposed for over
95 hours to temperatures below 60 F during the week before harvest.
Severity of chilling increases with increases in exposure time, so 135
hours exposure to below 60 F may result in heavy losses.
Chilling periods
for fruit while in the field, during transit, and in storage have a
cumulative effect. Thus, fruit chilled for only a short period in the
field can become very susceptible to decay when held for only a short
period at chilling temperature during transit or storage. Tomatoes should
be kept out of cold, wet rooms because in addition to potential development
of chilling injury, extended refrigeration damages the ability of fruit
to develop desirable fresh tomato flavor.
Ripening of tomatoes
is initiated by the ethylene they produce. However, in commercial practice,
mature-green tomatoes are commonly treated with supplemental ethylene
to hasten ripening within a lot. For treatment, tomatoes are exposed
to 100 to 150 ppm ethylene for 24 to 48 hours at 68 to 77 F and 85 to
95% relative humidity. Ethylene is applied in a fairly airtight room
by a shot method, a generator, or a flow-through system. Immature tomatoes
may ripen with supplemental ethylene, but the ripened fruit will lack
quality. Fruit beyond the breaker stage do not benefit from supplemental
ethylene because their ripening processes already have been initiated
by their own ethylene.
Semi-ripe tomatoes
with 60 to 90% color can be held up to a week at 50 F. If held longer,
they will probably not have a normal shelf life during retailing. Riper
tomatoes will tolerate lower temperatures. For example, "firm-rip" tomatoes
can be held a few days at 45 to 50. Long holding of ripened tomatoes
at low temperatures (40 and below) results in loss of color, shelf life,
and firmness.
Fully ripe: When
it is necessary to hold fully ripe tomatoes for the longest possible
time before their immediate consumption upon removal from storage, as
for example, for ship-board or overseas use, they can be held at 32
to 35 F for up to 3 weeks. Such tomatoes, although acceptable, would
not be of high quality and would have little if any shelf life remaining.
Mature-green, turning, or pink tomatoes should be ripened before storing
at such low temperatures.
A storage temperature
of 50 to 55 F is recommended for semi-ripe to fully ripe greenhouse-grown
tomatoes. Ripening of less mature tomatoes at 70 F is recommended before
storage at 50 to 55 F.
Research showed
that an atmosphere with 3% oxygen and 97% nitrogen extended the life
of mature-green tomatoes up to 6 weeks at 55 F and that the flavor of
the ripened fruit had no off-flavor and was acceptable to the taste
panel. A 1% or lower oxygen level can cause off-flavor. Increased carbon
dioxide levels provide no benefit; in fact, levels of 3 to 5% have been
reported to cause injury at 55 F.
PACKAGING
Cherry tomatoes are commonly packaged in 8-lb baskets.
Mature green tomatoes are commonly packaged in 30-lb cartons and wirebound
crates, volume-fill pack.
Pink and ripe tomatoes are commonly packaged in 20-lb two-layer flats
and cartons, tray pack; or 28-lb three-layer lugs and cartons, tray
pack; or 30-lb cartons, loose pack.
NON-PATHOGENIC FRUIT DISORDERS
Blossom End Rot
Cause: Calcium deficiency aggravated by widely fluctuating soil moisture
conditions-nonpathogenic. Calcium in the fruit may be deficient because
(1) insufficient calcium in the soil, (2) excess N, Mg, K or Na has
been applied as fertilizer, (3) very wet or very dry soils interfere
with uptake of calcium, (4) combinations of (1) to (3).
Symptoms: Black leathery lesions form on blossom end of fruit. The affected
area shrinks and causes misshapen fruits. Only some fruits on a plant
may be affected. Green as well as ripe fruits may be affected.
Control:
Before planting
1. Add lime to adjust pH of soil to 6.8 to 7.2. Mix lime thoroughly
in top 8 to 12 inches of soil. Lime is best applied in fall.
2. Use only moderate amounts of additional fertilizers to keep plants
normally green and vigorous but not luxuriant.
3. Do not plant tomatoes where drainage is poor, surface water accumulates,
or soil is droughty.
After Planting
1. Mulch plants with black plastic or loose organic materials.
2. Fertilize with nitrogen side-dressing only if it is required to maintain
green color and moderate-growth. Use calcium nitrate or ammonium sulfate
at rate of 0.25 lb to 100 sq ft (100 lb/A).
3. Maintain uniform soil moisture. Apply water to wet all soil in root
zone every 7 to 10 days. About 24 hours after watering, dig a small
hole with a trowel to a depth of 1 foot to be certain water has penetrated
to that level.
4. If symptoms of blossom end rot are detected, spray the leaves and
fruit with calcium chloride at the rate of 2 Tbs in 1 gal water (4 lb
in 200 gal water/A). Apply two or more sprays at 1-week intervals. The
spray may cause some injury to the margins of the leaves.
Gray-Wall or Blotchy Ripening
This disorder appears as gray or brown blotchy areas in the fruit wall
tissue, beginning when the fruit is green. It can occur on more than
half of the fruit of a particular field. Cross-sections of fruit show
blackened tissue. This causes the external fruit color to look somewhat
gray. When the fruit ripens, the area remains firm and turns from green
to yellow, rather than red. Fruit thus ripens unevenly. The affected
area appears woody when cut. White wall tissue has been considered to
be an early stage of gray wall, but may also be related to other disorders
(see "internal white tissue" section below). A definite cause for gray
wall has not been defined but a number of factors play a role in predisposing
fruit to gray wall, these are listed in their considered lessening degree
of importance:
1. Low light or prolonged cloudy periods.
2. Excess nitrogen causing excessive plant vigor.
3. High soil moisture from excess rain or irrigation.
4. Potassium deficiency.
5. Soil compaction.
6. Temperature fluctuations, particularly unusually cool nights and
warm days.
Tobacco mosaic virus is also reported to be involved in gray wall. In
those cases the disorder is also called internal browning. That tobacco
mosaic virus is involved in a disorder called internal brownig is not
in dispute. What is in dispute is wheather the two disorders are the
same or seperate. In a few other cases certain bacteria and fungi are
thought to also be implicated. Another confusion is that gray wall is
also sometimes called blotchy ripening!
Information from Florida indicates that the varieties Merced and Floridade
may have tolerance to the conditions that predispose tomatoes to gray
wall
Internal white tissue
The expression of white tissue varies widely, and is considered dependent
on cultivar and environmental conditions. It is sometimes attributed
to gray wall. Potassium deficiency and high temperatures are believed
to aggravate the problem.
Solar yellowing (also called yellow shoulder, yellow top and
persistent green shoulder)
This problem occurs most commonly on fruit ripening in late May and
June when days are longest, sunlight is most intense, and temperatures
exceed 85 F. Under such conditions, lycopene (the red pigment in tomato)
fails to develop normally in some varieties, leaving only the carotene
(yellow) pigment to show at the shoulder or, with green-shoulder type
tomatoes, where the dark green portion was. Even with temperatures under
85 F the surface temperature of exposed fruit, especially those with
dark green shoulders can become high enough to inhibit normal red color
development. In other parts of the day or night, when temperatures do
not exceed 85 F some red color may develop, resulting in an orange rather
than a yellow abnormality. To reduce this problem, choose uniform-ripening
varieties and protect fruit surfaces from short-wave solar radiation
by choosing varieties having good fruit cover or, by the use of non-phytotoxic
white wash applied when fruit are at the mature-green stage. The white
wash will have to be removed before the fruit is marketed.
Sunscald
Mature green and tomatoes just turning red are most susceptible. Fruit
develops white necrotic tissue surrounded by a yellow halo. The area
may be sunken and wrinkled. Damage is confined mainly to the upper portion
of the fruit, and is seen where fruit that has been covered by leaves
is suddenly exposed to light. The area can later be covered by a black
fungus when the rest of the fruit turns red.
Roughness and scars
Varieties differ in susceptibility. associated with large fruit. Particularly
severe when young plants are exposed to cool temperatures, and night
temperatures below 50 F when flower clusters are differentiating.
Fruit Cracks
Varieties differ in susceptibility. Promoted by fluctuations in soil
moisture and temperature. Often seen when varieties developed for hot,
arid climates are subjected to humid, wet conditions. Cracks may be
radial or concentric.
INSECT CONTROL FOR TOMATOES
THE INSECTICIDES LISTED BELOW, TAKEN FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST INSECT
CONTROL HANDBOOK, ARE FOR INFORMATION ONLY. BECAUSE OF CONSTANTLY CHANGING
LABELS, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CAN ASSUME NO
LIABILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF USE OF CHEMICALS SUGGESTED HERE. IN
ALL CASES, READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
ON THE SPECIFIC PESTICIDE PRODUCT LABEL.
USE PESTICIDES SAFELY!
Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label.
Bathe or shower after each use.
Read the pesticide label--even if you've used the pesticide before.
Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions
you have).
Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility
as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting
from pesticide use.
Proper rotations and field selection can minimize problems with insects.
Insect and Description Control, Active Ingredient/Acre
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aphids, including endosulfan - 0.5 to 1 lb
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae malathion - 1 to 2 lb
Potato aphid diazinon - 0.25 lb
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
azinphos-methyl - 0.5 to 0.75 lb
Yellowish, pink to pale green
plant lice. methyl parathion - 0.5 to 1.5 lb
Asana - 0.03 to 0.05 lb
dimethoate - 0.25 to 0.5 lb
Lannate - 0.45 to 0.9 lb
Di-Syston - 1 to 3 lb
M-Pede, 1-2% solution, see label
Admire 2F, see label
Provado 1.6F - 0.047 lb
Baythroid 2 - 0.025 to 0.044 lb
Guthion Solupak - 1 to 1.5
lb product
Warrior - 0.02 to 0.03 lb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado Potato Beetle azinphos-methyl - 0.375 lb
Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Di-Syston - 1 to 3 lb
Yellow and black striped beetle.
Larvae reddish orange with two carbaryl - 1 lb
rows of black spots on each
side. endosulfan - 0.5 to 1.0 lb
methoxychlor - 1 to 3 b
Asana - 0.035 to 0.05 lb
M-Trak - 2 to 4 qt
Baythroid 2 - 0.025 to 0.044 lb
Cryolite - see label
Penncap-M - see label
Guthion Solupak - 0.75 lb product
Warrior - 0.02 to 0.03 lb
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Cutworms, armyworms carbaryl bait - 2.0 lb
Different species
Lannate - 0.45 lb
Small to large larvae that feed
on stems, foliage, and fruit. Asana - 0.03 to 0.05 lb
malathion - 3.5 lb
Armyworm only.
Bacillus thuringiensis - 1 to
2 qt. Use an appropriate
spreader-sticker.
azinphos-methyl - 0.75 to 1.5 lb
Mattch - see label
Danitol - 0.2 lb
Baythroid 2 - 0.044 lb
Warrior - 0.025 to 0.025 lb
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flea beetles and Cucumber Beetles Di-Syston - 1 to 3 lb
including Tuber flea beetle Flea beetle only.
Epitrix tuberis
methoxychlor - 1 to 3 lb
Small, oval, shiny bronze jump-
ing beetles. Feed on foliage. rotenone - .5 lb
and Western spotted cucumber beetle carbaryl - 0.5 to 1 lb
Diabrotica undecimpunctata Flea beetle only.
Extremely hazardous to
Yellowish-green, black pollinating bees.
spotted beetle. Common to western
Oregon. Damaging to small endosulfan - 0.5 to l lb
plants. Flea beetle only.
Dibrom - 1 lb
Flea beetle only.
azinphos-methyl - 0.5 to 0.75
lb. Flea beetle only.
Asana - 0.03 to 0.05 lb
Admire 2F - see label
Cryolite - see label
Penncap-M - see label
Guthion Solupak - 1 to 1.5
lb product, flea beetle only
Warrior - 0.02 to 0.03 lb
Flea beetle only.
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Grasshoppers Guthion Solupak - 1 to 1.5 lb product
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Green Stink bug Guthion Solupak - 0.75 to 1 lb product
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Leaf miners Guthion Solupak - 0.75 to 1 lb product
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Leafhoppers Guthion Solupak - 1 to 1.5 lb product
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Spider mites methyl parathion - 1.0 to 1.5 lb
Tetranychus spp.
Kelthane MF - 0.375 to 0.75
Tiny, spiderlike animals lo- lb. Do not feed.
cated on undersurfaces of foli-
age. Feed on plant juices and Dibrom - 1 lb
cause leaves to yellow and die.
Di-Syston - 1 to 3 lb
M-Pede, 1-2% solution, see label
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomato hornworm Dibrom - 1 lb
Manduca quinquemaculata
endosulfan - 0.5 to 1 lb
Mature caterpillar 4 to 5 inches
long, pale green, with a short, trichlorfon - 1 lb
curved, red horn on posterior
end. azinphosmethyl - 0.75 to 1.5 lb
Asana - 0.015 to 0.03 lb
carbaryl - 1 to 2 lb.
Extremely hazardous to
pollinating bees.
Lannate - 0.45 to 0.9 lb
Bacillus thuringiensis - 1
to 2 qt. Use a spreader-
sticker to enhance control.
Cryolite - see label
Penncap-M - see label
Guthion Solupak - 1.5 to 3 lb product
Warrior - 0.015 to 0.025 lb
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whitefly Guthion Solupak - 0.75 to 1 lb product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireworms diazinon - 3 to 4 lb
Limonius spp.
Telone II - preplant
Brown, jointed larvae of click
beetles. Kill young plants, Telone C-17 - preplant
weaken older ones.
For updates on above information and authors, please click on osu.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/vegindex.htm
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Green - Seeds Co., Ltd.
81/10B Ho Van Hue Street, Phu Nhuan District, Ward 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (8) 847 6901 - Fax: +84 (8) 844 1392 - Email: info@green-seeds.com
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