1. INTRODUCTION
The tomato fruit is a great source of Vitamins A and C. It is added to diets to improve their taste and flavor. Tomatoes are also processed to other products like tomato sauce. Economically, tomatoes are income generators for households as well as nationally.
Tomatoes grow well in well drained soils because they are very sensitive to water logging. The best soil is of pH 6-7. Temperature should be 20-27 degrees C. Fruit setting becomes poor above 30 or below 10 degrees C.
2. Varieties
Selecting variety in tomato cultivation is critical to the success of the enterprise. There are generally two types of tomatoes based on plant habit: the Determinate and Indeterminate. The Determinate (including semi-determinate) varieties produce stems that end with a flower cluster. The determinate are short and bushy while the semi-determinate are taller. Indeterminate varieties continually produce new leaves and flowers, and can grow very tall. Indeterminate varieties set fruit over a longer period. Indeterminate varieties should be staked and pruned and usually require more labour.
In Rwanda, we grow best Tomato Varieties from Europe and Kenya Seed companies.
1. Anna F1 tomato variety
Anna F1 tomato variety gives very high yields, requires lower labor and is fairly resistant to tomato diseases. It is a fresh market tomato variety that performs best when grown in a greenhouse. Anna F1 has firm, oval shaped fruits that are deep-red in color. It is one of the tomato varieties in Kenya that are resistant to Alternaria stem canker, nematodes and Fusarium wilt.
Anna F1 matures relatively fast: within 75 days after transplanting. Its maturity period depends on the weather. Like with most tomato varieties in Kenya, the first harvest of Anna F1 gives lower yields than later harvests. Anna F1 has an average tomato yield of 74 tons per acre, and 35 kg per tomato plant in its life span.
2. Roma tomato variety
A roma tomato is a paste tomato. Paste tomatoes, like roma tomatoes, generally have a thicker fruit wall, fewer seeds and a denser but more grainy flesh. Roma tomatoes tend to be oblong in shape and heavy for their size. The also tend to be more firm than a non-roma or paste tomato. Roma tomatoes are determinate, which means that the fruit ripens at one time, rather than continually through the season. While they can be eaten raw, they are at their best when they are cooked.
3. BINGO
Bingo Large-fruited Heirloom Tomato Seed
o High yield
o Extra large fruit
o Medium early maturity
o Widely adapted
o Large vine
o Determinate growth
o Globe shaped fruit, extra large, smooth, with thick walls
o Moderate crack resistance
o VFFNTSt Resistance
Widely adapted over a wide range of growing areas, Bingo large-fruited Heirloom Tomato Seed consistently provides large and very smooth fruit. The plant develops a full canopy of leaves to protect the fruit from sun-burn. An excellent choice for roadside markets, Bingo Large-fruited Heirloom Tomato is noted for its exceptional flavor and size.
4. cherry tomato
The cherry tomato is a type of small round tomato with red, yellow, green, and black colors. They are usually eaten raw in salads since they are packed with flavor and quite sweet.
Cherry tomatoes
5. Plum
A plum tomato, also known as a processing tomato or paste tomato, is a type of tomato bred for sauce and packing purposes. They are generally oval or cylindrical in shape, with significantly fewer locules than standard round tomatoes and a generally higher solid content, making them more suitable for processing.
Plum tomatoes
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