Greenhouse cultivation of tomato is an advanced and protected method of farming that enables year-round production and controlled growth of tomato plants regardless of external climatic conditions. This modern agricultural approach is particularly beneficial in regions with extreme weather, erratic rainfall, or a high incidence of pests and diseases. The greenhouse environment allows for regulation of temperature, humidity, light intensity, and irrigation, leading to improved yields, reduced losses, and consistently high-quality fruits. It also provides an ideal platform for precision farming practices.
1. Site Selection and Greenhouse Design
- Choose a flat or gently sloping site that receives ample sunlight exposure throughout the year, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Ensure proximity to a reliable source of clean water and easy access for transportation and inputs.
- Construct a well-ventilated and structurally sound greenhouse using materials suited to the region’s climate—polyhouse, net house, or glasshouse.
- Orient the greenhouse east-west to maximize sunlight absorption.
2. Variety Selection
- Select hybrid tomato varieties suitable for greenhouse conditions with high yield potential and disease resistance.
- Examples: NS 4266, Heem Sohna, Arka Rakshak, Pusa Rohini, Indam-2103, Swarna Lalima.
- Choose varieties based on market needs (cherry, salad, plum types).
3. Nursery Raising
- Use certified seeds sown in pro-trays filled with coco peat, vermiculite, and perlite.
- Maintain temperature around 25-30°C and high humidity.
- Apply fungicides or bioagents and harden seedlings before transplanting.
4. Transplanting
- Transplant 20-25 day old seedlings at the 4-5 true leaf stage.
- Use sterilized media (soil + coco peat + compost or vermicompost).
- Add micronutrients and beneficial microbes during transplanting.
5. Spacing and Training
- Maintain 40-50 cm between plants and 60-100 cm between rows.
- Use vertical supports like trellis or nylon twine for plant training.
- Training enhances light exposure, spraying, and harvesting ease.
6. Irrigation and Fertilization
- Use drip irrigation for uniform water delivery.
- Apply soluble fertilizers via fertigation.
- Include NPK and micronutrients; monitor EC and pH regularly.
7. Climate Control
- Maintain temperature 18-27°C, humidity 60-70%, and adequate CO2.
- Use fans, nets, pads, misting systems, and automated climate systems.
8. Pest and Disease Management
- Adopt IPM using traps, insect nets, and scouting.
- Apply biopesticides or entomopathogenic fungi as needed.
- Rotate chemicals to prevent resistance buildup.
9. Pollination Support
- Manually shake flower clusters or use electric vibrators.
- Introduce commercial bumble bees if needed.
10. Harvesting
- Harvest at mature green or red ripe stage depending on market needs.
- Frequent harvesting (every 2-3 days) ensures quality.
- Use clean containers to collect and transport fruits.
Additional Activities to Improve Quality and Yield
- Grafting: Improves tolerance to soil-borne diseases and enhances growth.
- Mulching: Conserves moisture, regulates temperature, and suppresses weeds.
- Pruning: Removing side shoots and old leaves improves airflow and fruit size.
- Biofertilizers: Use Trichoderma, Azospirillum, and Mycorrhiza to improve health.
- Crop Rotation: Rotate with non-solanaceous crops to manage pests and diseases.
- Record Keeping: Monitor climate data, pests, inputs, and harvests for better management.
Greenhouse tomato cultivation, though initially demanding in terms of investment and technical know-how, provides a sustainable and profitable farming option. It ensures high productivity per unit area, better resource use efficiency, reduced pesticide load, and improved shelf life and appearance of produce. With growing market demand for residue-free, high-quality vegetables, greenhouse farming of tomatoes is a valuable avenue for commercial agriculture and agripreneurship.
