Off Seasonal Tomato Production Practices in Nepal

Abstract

Solanaceous crop, tomato, a good source of minerals, vitamins and organic acids, is used as protective food and grown all over the world as annual plant. In Nepal, farmers are growing it mainly as offseason crop to earn good value even though risk is higher and are facing different problems. Different methods such as exploiting agro climatic diversity, generation of micro-climate, adaptation of grafted plants etc are in use. Use of climatic diversity which exist in Nepal, is one of the best method for off seasonal production. Seasonal production of tomato during Ashar to Bhadra in high hills is off-seasonal for mid hills of Nepal. Waterlogged condition is the major restriction for tomato cultivation during rainy season. Plastic tunnel is used against this restriction and also to protect from lower or freezing temperature during winter season. Use of waterlogged resistant eggplant variety are also applied by farmers against waterlogged condition tomato production. Some farmers are using plastic mulch to increase soil temperature and restrict weed growth which also gives earlier and higher yield. Waterlogged condition is the major restriction for tomato production during rainy season. Use of plant growth regulator at appropriate concentration and form increases quantity and quality of tomato under higher or lower temperature. Fruit set, fruit size, yield and quality can be improved by using PGRs. Use of varieties according to the obstacles can be also used for off seasonal production. Srijana variety against bacterial wilt is used in Nepal for rainy season cultivation.

Keywords: Off season, tomato, Nepal, Solanaceous crop, climatic diversity, season cultivation.