Tomato Plant Culture: In the Field, Greenhouse, & Home Garden

About this book

A recent study indicates that individuals who regularly consume fresh tomatoes or processed tomato products are less likely to develop certain forms of cancer than those who do not. Tomato Plant Culture: In the Field, Greenhouse, and Home Garden provides comprehensive factual information about tomato plant culture and fruit production, beneficial to plant scientists and commercial field and greenhouse growers as well as the home gardener. Data compiled focuses on the more recent literature, including information about the cultural characteristics of the plant; fruit production and related quality factors; and environmental and nutritional requirements for both field- and greenhouse-grown plants.

Contents

INTRODUCTIONHistorical BackgroundTomato TriviaPlant CharacteristicsScientific ClassificationCommon NamesTomato ProductsTomato Yield RecordsProduction StatisticsConsumer Consumption and PreferencesTomato Production in the United StatesGreenhouse Tomato ProductionField- versus Greenhouse-Grown FruitHome GardeningPersonal General ObservationsThe InternetPersonal ExperiencesPLANT CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSIOLOGYIntroductionPlant FormsDays to MaturityPhotosynthetic CharacteristicsLight Energy LevelLight QualityDaylight LengthCarbon Dioxide EnrichmentWater RequirementPlant Air Temperature RequirementsRoot Temperature EffectsConsistencyFlower CharacteristicsFlower PollinationFruit CharacteristicsCultural SystemsField ProductionGreenhouse ProductionSEED AND SEEDLING PRODUCTIONIntroductionSeed CharacteristicsElemental CompositionGermination Testing ProceduresGermination Time and TemperatureYoung Vegetative PlantsSeedling ProductionTransplant CharacteristicsSetting in the SoilGraftingSeed ProductionSaving Seed from Mature Tomato FruitCatalog DescriptionsDays to MaturitySeed TreatmentsDisease Resistance CodesSeed SourcesHeirloom VarietiesFRUIT CHARACTERISTICSIntroductionPhysical CharacteristicsSizeShapeFirmnessColor ClassificationFruit RipeningFruit GradesDefectsConsumer Quality FactorsFlavorpHStoragePackagingNutritional ContentSun-Dried FruitOrganically Grown and Pesticide FreeUseful UnitsTOMATO PLANT NUTRITIONIntroductionNomenclatureThe Essential ElementsThe Structural ElementsThe Mineral ElementsMicronutrientsNutrient Element Uptake Patterns with TimeThe Beneficial ElementsHumic AcidPlant Nutrient Element ManagementPlant AnalysisEssential Element Levels in the Tomato PlantConcentration UnitsTissue TestingTissue Testing KitsInterpretation of Plant Analysis and Tissue Test ResultsVisual Symptoms of Deficiency and ExcessSoil TestingSoilless Rooting Medium AssaySoil Testing LaboratoriesSensitivity to SalinityFIELD PRODUCTION IN SOILIntroductionSoil Physical CharacteristicsSubsoil CharacteristicsSoil Fertility RequirementsSoil pHSoil SalinitySoil Preparation and RotationIrrigation Water QualityFertilizer RecommendationsNutrient Content and RemovalPlant Population and SpacingFruit YieldHome Garden Production ProceduresHome Garden Soil PropertiesPlant Cultural ManagementOrganically GrownGrowing Tomatoes in ContainersGREENHOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTIONIntroductionPast StatusCurrent and Future GrowthFactors Affecting Greenhouse ProductionThe Tomato GreenhouseWater QualityCropping Sequences and ClimateCulture SystemsFruit Yield and Cost of ProductionOrganic Soilless Media Bag CultureHydroponic GrowingHydroponic Growing SystemsOther Hydroponic Growing System

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