2nd Edition

Tomato Plant Culture In the Field, Greenhouse, and Home Garden, Second Edition

By J. Benton Jones, Jr. Copyright 2007
    420 Pages 97 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    While tomatoes continue to be one of the most widely grown plants, the production and distribution of tomato fruits have been changing worldwide. Smaller, flavorful tomatoes are becoming more popular than beefsteak tomatoes, greenhouse-grown tomatoes have entered the marketplace, and home gardeners are using the Internet to obtain information for growing tomatoes. Encompassing these changes, Tomato Plant Culture: In the Field, Greenhouse, and Home Garden, Second Edition clearly presents the characteristics, nutritional information, environmental requirements, and production aspects of tomato plants and fruits.

    Authored by one of the foremost experts in hydroponics, the book outlines the history of the tomato plant and fruit and delves into the author's personal experiences with tomato plant cultivation. It discusses the characteristics and composition of the plant as well as seedling and seed production. The author elucidates the physical features of the fruit and the mineral nutrition of the plant. He also examines the physical and chemical characteristics of soils most desirable for plant growth, makes fertilizer recommendations, and explores the factors involved in greenhouse tomato production. In addition, the book looks at ways to identify and control plant diseases and insect pests.

    With scientific data, trivia, and troubleshooting advice, this technical yet accessible book enables scientists, commercial growers, and home gardeners to cultivate a successful crop of tomatoes.

    INTRODUCTION
    Historical Background
    Tomato Trivia
    Plant Characteristics
    Scientific Classification
    Common Names
    Tomato Products
    Tomato Yield Records
    Production Statistics
    Consumer Consumption and Preferences
    Tomato Production in the United States
    Greenhouse Tomato Production
    Field- versus Greenhouse-Grown Fruit
    Home Gardening
    Personal General Observations
    The Internet
    Personal Experiences

    PLANT CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSIOLOGY
    Introduction
    Plant Forms
    Days to Maturity
    Photosynthetic Characteristics
    Light Energy Level
    Light Quality
    Daylight Length
    Carbon Dioxide Enrichment
    Water Requirement
    Plant Air Temperature Requirements
    Root Temperature Effects
    Consistency
    Flower Characteristics
    Flower Pollination
    Fruit Characteristics
    Cultural Systems
    Field Production
    Greenhouse Production

    SEED AND SEEDLING PRODUCTION
    Introduction
    Seed Characteristics
    Elemental Composition
    Germination Testing Procedures
    Germination Time and Temperature
    Young Vegetative Plants
    Seedling Production
    Transplant Characteristics
    Setting in the Soil
    Grafting
    Seed Production
    Saving Seed from Mature Tomato Fruit
    Catalog Descriptions
    Days to Maturity
    Seed Treatments
    Disease Resistance Codes
    Seed Sources
    Heirloom Varieties

    FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS
    Introduction
    Physical Characteristics
    Size
    Shape
    Firmness
    Color Classification
    Fruit Ripening
    Fruit Grades
    Defects
    Consumer Quality Factors
    Flavor
    pH
    Storage
    Packaging
    Nutritional Content
    Sun-Dried Fruit
    Organically Grown and Pesticide Free
    Useful Units

    TOMATO PLANT NUTRITION
    Introduction
    Nomenclature
    The Essential Elements
    The Structural Elements
    The Mineral Elements
    Micronutrients
    Nutrient Element Uptake Patterns with Time
    The Beneficial Elements
    Humic Acid
    Plant Nutrient Element Management
    Plant Analysis
    Essential Element Levels in the Tomato Plant
    Concentration Units
    Tissue Testing
    Tissue Testing Kits
    Interpretation of Plant Analysis and Tissue Test Results
    Visual Symptoms of Deficiency and Excess
    Soil Testing
    Soilless Rooting Medium Assay
    Soil Testing Laboratories
    Sensitivity to Salinity

    FIELD PRODUCTION IN SOIL
    Introduction
    Soil Physical Characteristics
    Subsoil Characteristics
    Soil Fertility Requirements
    Soil pH
    Soil Salinity
    Soil Preparation and Rotation
    Irrigation Water Quality
    Fertilizer Recommendations
    Nutrient Content and Removal
    Plant Population and Spacing
    Fruit Yield
    Home Garden Production Procedures
    Home Garden Soil Properties
    Plant Cultural Management
    Organically Grown
    Growing Tomatoes in Containers

    GREENHOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTION
    Introduction
    Past Status
    Current and Future Growth
    Factors Affecting Greenhouse Production
    The Tomato Greenhouse
    Water Quality
    Cropping Sequences and Climate
    Culture Systems
    Fruit Yield and Cost of Production
    Organic Soilless Media Bag Culture
    Hydroponic Growing
    Hydroponic Growing Systems
    Other Hydroponic Growing Systems
    The Nutrient Solution
    Organic Hydroponics
    Greenhouse Cultivars/Varieties
    Rootstocks
    Crop/Growing System Monitoring
    Personal Observations

    PEST IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL
    Introduction
    Resistant Cultivars
    Plant Diseases
    Botrytis Gray Mold
    Seedborne Diseases
    Soilborne Diseases
    Insects
    Nematodes
    How to Control Pests
    Integrated Pest Management
    Prophylactic Procedures
    Nutrient Solution Disease Control
    Weed Control
    Professional Assistance
    Worker Protection for Greenhouse Employees
    Changing Label Recommendations and Restrictions
    Greenhouse Decontamination and Cleaning
    Home Gardener Pest Control

    REFERENCES
    APPENDICES
    INDEX

    Biography

    J. Benton Jones Jr.

    "… a valuable source of information for professional tomato growers and advanced home gardeners as well as for research workers… The work is also noteworthy for its high didactical quality; it might be certainly useful as a studying literature in the Vegetable production studies."

    --Biologia Plantarium