The Tomato plant is a herbaceous, spreading plant that can grow anywhere from one to three metres in height. It has a weak, woody stem. The Tomato is an indigenous plant to both Peru and Mexico. There are no documents that may confirm exactly when or how it came in India; nonetheless, it was probably brought there by the Portuguese. In India, there are around one thousand different types of Tomato. The output of Tomatoes in China is currently the highest in the world, after India and Turkey. There is never an off-season for Tomatoes in India because they are grown year-round. The beginning and the end of the year tend to be the busiest times for the Tomato harvest in India.
The diameter of a Tomato fruit ranges from 50 to 70 millimetres, and its weight might range anywhere from 70 to 150 grammes on average. Tomatoes are among the most important crops because of the great nutritional value they have. It has a rich history of being used in Indian cuisine and is widely considered to be one of the most versatile fruits. Tomatoes are a versatile ingredient that can be found in a wide variety of recipes, such as salad, ketchup, puree, sauces, and other processed foods. Tomatoes have quite a higher concentration of an anti-cancer compound called lycopene than other fruits and vegetables. Carotene, which is famous for its role in preventing cancer and is responsible for the fruit's distinctive red colour, is also present in the fruit and contributes to its antioxidant activity.
History of Tomato Farming
From a pin to an aircraft, a tree to a flower, a fruit or vegetable, etc., everything has a past. Everyone wants to know more about them, including when and from where they arrived. Additionally, Tomatoes have a fascinating history, and as a result, we have all changed significantly. Its origin and history are extremely astounding.
So, let's get going. Tomatoes are not farmed; rather, they were once found growing wild in the Andean region's Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Tomatoes are cultivated as a wild and edible crop at moderate mountain heights. Around 700 A.D., the earliest Aztecs, the Tomato first appeared. This evidence shows that Tomatoes have been grown in America since at least the tenth century. According to studies, Tomatoes have been there for 80,000 years without any human alteration.
Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu are the primary states where the majority of the Tomato suppliers are located in the nation. 91% of the nation's total production is produced by these States.
Types of Tomato
Abhinav
This is a semi-determinate species with large leaves and superior foliage coverage, according to Abhinav. It is appropriate for long-distance travel. The harvest is ready 60–65 days after planting and is glossy and deep crimson in colour. The Kharif and Rabi seasons are when this Tomato type is grown. The fruits are appropriate for processing since they are solid, have high keeping qualities.
Arka Abhijith
A high producing F1 hybrid Tomato named Arka Abhijith was created by IIHR Bangalore. It was designed with the fresh market in mind. The fruit is 65–70g in weight. In 140 days, the average output is 65 tonnes per acre.
Rashmi
These Tomatoes are beautifully coloured, round, firm, and silky. Rashmi is a hybrid variety that is widely adaptable and determinate. The first harvest occurs about 70 days after planting, and the berry weighs about 90 g. This particular Tomato variety can be processed.
Also, read: An Overview of Tomato Sauce Making Business in India
Namdhari
A determinate, early maturing hybrid Tomato cultivar from India is called Namdhari. The fruits have a pleasing and shiny red colour and weigh about 80–90g. The sowing season in India runs from August to October, and it is practised in practically all of the states.
Arka Shrestha
The high yielding hybrid Tomato variety named Arka Shrestha was created by IIHR Bangalore. It has semi-determinate foliage that is light green, and the berry weighs between 70 and 75 g. The fruits are easy to transport, have a lengthy shelf life of 17 days, and are firm. It is appropriate for both processing and tabletop use. The crop is planted during Kharif/Rabi and grows to maturity following Rabi. 76 t/ha is the average yield.
Rupali
Rupali seems to be a determinate, compact-growing, early Tomato hybrid that yields moderate sized (100g), solid, round, silky, and high-quality fruits. It also has strong foliage coverage. This particular type is suitable for processing needs.
Vaishali
A determinate hybrid Tomato variety, Vaishali yields 100g of medium-sized, high-quality fruits. The cultivar is adapted to flourish in hot, muggy weather. This type is immune to verticillium and fusarium. It is appropriate for processing, particularly in the juice sector.
Arka Vardan
IIHR, Bangalore produced this hybrid Tomato variety in India. The fruits on this indeterminate shrub weigh about 140 g and have a green shoulder. It is perfect for use around a table. The crop is grown during the Kharif/Rabi season, and it takes 160 days to reach maturity. 75 t/ha is the average yield.
Arka Vikas
IIHR Bangalore created this hybrid Tomato variety in India. It is oblate, medium-sized (8–90g), has a pale green edge, and when it ripens, it turns a deep scarlet colour. It was created for a growing product and is suitable for both areas with irrigation and rainwater. The best use for these Tomatoes is as table food.
Arka Vishal
A hybrid Tomato variety called Arka Vishal was made available by IIHR. The plants are not fixed in time. The enormous fruit weights roughly 140g. This Tomato variety should only be used for eating. The variety takes 160 days to reach maturity and is grown during the Kharif/Rabi season. 75 t/ha is the average yield.
Pusa Early Dwarf
IARI New Delhi in India created the hybrid Tomato cultivar known as Pusa Early Dwarf. It is an early-ripening cultivar of the determinate type. The medium-sized, round, flattish Tomatoes have a yellow stem end. Seventy-five to eighty days after transplantation, the Tomatoes are ready for harvest. 35 tonnes are produced on average per hectare. This Tomato type can be used as a table or processing variety.
Pusa Gaurav
The plants are small, bushy, and cover themselves with a fair amount of foliage. In bushes, smooth, oval fruits are produced. Unripe fruits are easy to transport over long distances since they are firm, have thick flesh (0.6m), and have two well-filled locules. Because of its greater brix content and storability, the fruit is suited for both processing and canning.
Pusa Ruby
This variety matures quite swiftly. The plant is indeterminate and grows to a height of 80–85 cm. The pulp of the medium-sized, flat to spherical fruits has a faint acidity. Both processor and table varieties are appropriate. The output is 32.5 t/ha on average. Both the autumn-winter and spring-summer growing seasons are suited for seeding this cultivar.
Also, read: Tomato Sauce: Top 10 Manufacturers in India
Tomato fruit or vegetable
Tomato fruit or vegetable is still a mystery. Because of this, we are here to provide some findings and studies that distinguish the Tomato as neither a fruit nor a vegetable, both from a biological and a gastronomic perspective. Because Tomatoes develop from flowers and then produce seeds, biology demonstrates that they are a type of fruit.
However, most of the time they are utilised in the kitchen as veggies. Because of its widespread usage in cooking, the United States Supreme Court acknowledged in 1893 that the Tomato must be classified as a vegetable. This was done considering the Tomato's versatility in the kitchen.
Tomato benefits are that they are a nutrient-rich plant. It is a well-known truth that eating foods derived from plants promotes health, and Tomatoes aren't any different. For instance, when the percentage of plant-based food in the diet rises, the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, as well as cancer declines. They also contain significant amounts of vitamin K, calcium, & lycopene, all of which support bone growth, regrowth, and strength.
In the market right now, Tomato are indeed the third most common fresh vegetable. Its high nutritional content and numerous uses explain why it has been in high demand all throughout the world. They are a staple of the diets of the vast majority of people. It improves people's health in a variety of ways that are absolutely fascinating to investigate.
Fresh Tomato prices in India
FAQs: Tomato
Q. What is a Tomato and why?
Ans. The Tomato is an edible berry that is produced by the Solanum lycopersicum plant, also referred to as the Tomato plant. Western South America, Central America and Mexico are where the species first appeared. The Spanish term tomate, from where the English word Tomatoes descended, was derived from the Mexican Nahuatl term tomatl.
Q. What food group is Tomato in?
Ans. Nutritionists classify Tomatoes as a fruit yet consider them to be a vegetable.
Q. Are Tomatoes good for you?
Ans. The primary dietary provider of the antioxidant’s lycopene, that has been associated with a number of health advantages, including a decreased risk of cancer and heart disease, is Tomatoes. A significant provider of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and vitamin K, they are also.
Q. Why are Tomatoes called the devil's fruit?
Ans. Many Europeans were afraid of the Tomato in the late 1700s. The fruit was given the moniker "poison apple" because it was believed that aristocracy consumed them and became ill and died, but in reality, wealthy Europeans utilized pewter plates, which had a high lead concentration.
