Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation

(Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation)
Tomato Production in Greenhouse
J.P. Singh
Department of Vegetable Science, G.B.P.U.A.& T., Pantnagar-263 145 (UK)
Improved flavor and shelf life are the driving force for the increased demand for
greenhouse grown tomatoes. Consumers love the taste of a fresh tomato, and they are willing to
pay a premium price, especially in the winter. Unlike field-grown tomatoes which require
harvesting and marketing over a short period of time (3-4 weeks), greenhouse tomatoes are
harvested and marketed over a 30-week period.
Greenhouse tomatoes can be produced with minimal use of pesticides. Hot water treatment of
the growing medium should kill weeds, fungi, and bacteria. Installing screens on the greenhouse
vents, using sticky cards, and biological pest control can minimize or eliminate the use of
pesticides.
Projected gross income per year from one greenhouse of the size mentioned earlier should
equal or exceed the gross income from one acre of field grown tomatoes. Net income can be
higher if no hired labor is needed.
Who should consider growing greenhouse tomatoes for a profit
Someone who
• Is willing to work few hours every day for at least 300 days a year.
• Pays attention to details.
• Having an excessive zeal for sanitation.
• Is a good sales person.
• Lives near by the greenhouse.
Greenhouse location
• Should be away from trees which harbor aphids, white flies, spider mites, and block sun
light.
• Have an access to good roads and markets.
• Site should be higher than surrounding area to allow for drainage.
• Should have an access to electricity , natural gas, heating oil or any other source of fuel.
• Must have a good water source, each plant will need at least 100 gallons of salt-free water
a year. Before building a greenhouse, send a water sample to a well-known laboratory to
determine salt contents. Acidity and alkalinity of water should be determined as well. the
best source is rain water and it is easy to collect 2000 gallons of water from one inch of rain
falling on a roof of a 30X96 feet greenhouse if equipped with gutters and a collection
system.
Greenhouse orientation and size:
• North/south orientation is a must.
• Cooling pads should be installed on the north side and exhaust fans on the opposite side.
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