THE tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) is a member of Solanaceae family, which includes drug, fruit, flowering, ornamental and narcotic plants, besides some vegetables like egg-plant, potato tubers and tomatoes. Tomato is a juicy and fleshy fruit. The red and yellow pigmentations in it are due to ‘lycopen’ and ‘carotene.’ The plant, due to extreme unpalatability, is not relished by any cattle.

Climate and soils: The plant does well in temperate areas that have frost-free conditions. The plant needs protection against the frost. Temperatures between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit are best as any extreme can be detrimental to growth and fruit-formation.

Tomatoes can grow in the backyards where there is a passage of air, sun and drainage. Out sandy, loamy friable soils with adequate humus, good drainage, and a pH of 5.7 to 7.7 are best for its cultivation. Manures and nitrogenous fertilizers are used with caution as it can affect growth and fruiting-size and the capacity of a plant.

Propagation: The plant is propagated by seeds which are first sown in small nurseries. When the seedlings are 6-9 inches high, they are transplanted in the fields. In the Northern Areas, the third week of October and from the last week of November to the first week of December is the optimum period for nursery planting, while the seedlings are transplanted from the last week of November to the first week of December and mid-February. The crop is harvested yearly i.e., from the last week of April to the last week of May and from May to the first week of June.

In the south of the country, nurseries are planted three times in a year. Nursery sown in June-July is transplanted in July, while the second sown in August-October is planted in September, and the last sown in November is planted in December.

Varieties: Besides locally developed, some exotic varieties are also acclimatized in the country. In Punjab, those under cultivation are: Roma, Red Top, Nagina and Pakit. In Sindh, the recommended varieties are Roma Paylong, Sr-2, Gloriana, T-10 and Marglobe.

Development of tomato hybrids is one of the greatest achievements in the vegetable world. The hybrid tomatoes are not high yielding, big in size, less seed and resistant to pest attack and disease. The work on hybrid tomatoes is encouraging and the material has yielded potential of 70 tons per hectare in the central Punjab.

Area and production: Tomato is produced throughout the country in the plains and in hilly tracts. According to official statistics, the country during 2000-01, produced 268.6 thousand tons of tomatoes from an area of 27.9 thousand hectares. The production and area during 2003-04 have risen to 412.8 thousand tons and 39 thousand hectares, respectively.

Export: Pakistan is exporting tomatoes to neighbouring countries. During 2000-01, about 7,000 tons fresh and chilled tomatoes at the cost of Rs39,000 was exported against 234,000 tons costing Rs919,000 in the 2001-02. While, the same increased to 2,413,000 tons valuing Rs10,824,000 in 2002-03.

Nutritive value: Despite jumps in retail prices in some months, it is consumed in every household. One pound of tomato provides refuse 12, food energy (Cal) 91, protein 4gm, fat 1.2gm, carbohydrates 16gm, calcium 44mg, phosphorus 108mg, iron 2.4mg, vitamin A 4,380 (I.U.), thiamine 0.24mg, riboflavin 0.16mg, niacin 2.5mg, and ascorbic acid 93mg.

Therapeutic value: Tomato juice is a home-remedy for children suffering from rickets. It is a good and natural blood purifier. It helps in digestion and keeps the stomach in order. Infants given tomato juice cut their teeth easily. Sucking of a tomato in the morning keeps the feeling of nausea and vomiting away from the expectant mothers.

Tomato juice is served as an appetizer before meals and if taken as a first thing in the morning reduces obesity. Tomatoes are, however, not advised in case of respiratory troubles, kidney problems and for the TB patients.

Other uses: Tomato is used both as green and ripe for edible purposes. It is eaten with ‘Salads’ or mixed with meat, pulse, and vegetable dishes. Slices of red tomato are used for garnishing.

It provides raw material to the country’s expanding canned food industry by producing juice, soups, paste, puree, and ketchups. Green tomatoes are filled in pies, cookies, mincemeat, sandwich — spread, in preserves and pickles.

In our part of the globe, the product is also used by irate audience to ‘boo and jeer’ their leaders who fall short in fulfilling their promises. In some parts, like Spain, tomatoes are freely used in food fights on an annual occasion ‘Tomatina’. Tons and tons are pelted at each other till the revellers are tired and exhausted.

In some families of the sub-continent rotten fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes are pelted between the members of the bride and groom’s families.

Freak plant: Tomato stem when grafted on the stem of potato plant results in a freak plant that produces both tubers (potatoes) below the ground and tomatoes above, which is given the name of ‘potamato.’