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[R] Lycopersicum esculentum L. (Solanaceae).
Fr: Tomate; Ge: Tomate; Sp: Tomate; It: Pomodoro; Pt: Tomateiro.
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- Bushy, annual plant, with yellow grouped flowers (*) , cultivated throughout the world.
-The fruit (tomato) is a red, juicy berry that is consumed fresh, as a fruit or vegetable, or canned.
- There are many varieties that differ in their growth, size, form and resistance to disease.
- Cultivation may be in open fields or in glasshouses.
- Propagation occurs by seeds; transplanting occurs after the appearance of the first leaf. Sowing occurs from December to April, depending on the variety, and harvesting extends from May to the first frosts.
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- Diseases: tomato plants, as with other Solanaceae, can be attacked by various fungal, bacterial and virus diseases.
Climate regulation of glasshouses and shelters, and the early tying of the plants, provide considerable help in preventing most diseases.
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- Principal European pests: in the case of protected crops, the most serious pests are the glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporarium) and the American serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii).
The field slug (Deroceras reticulatum), the turnip moth (Agrotis segetum) and the dark sword-grass moth (Agrotis ipsilon) attack the seedlings. Several nematode species attack the roots; root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause the formation of swellings in the root system. The peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae) deforms the leaves.

[R] Images

* Tomato branch (Minost C.)
a: stem; b: stipule; c: flower composite; d: flowers; e: tomato (berry).

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HYPPZ on line: Species (scientific names), Pests (common names), Glossary, Crops.

HYP3 : HYPP Phytopathology.

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