Field Practical Activity

Name of crop: Tomato

Family name: Solanacea
Scientific name: Lyconpersicon eseulentum
Common name: Tomato
Variety: Gem Pride

Land Preparation
Land Clearing
Both chemical and mechanical means were used for land clearing. 30ml of Glyphos was added to
1 gallon of water, and was used to spray weed. Glyphos is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide.
When the weeds dried a machete was used to brush them and they were removed by hands.
Primary Tillage
Tillage was done using a fork and a hoe. Tillage is the preparation of soil by digging, stirring and
overturning. The fork formed ridges. Soil tillage conserves water. It destroys pests' shelters and
disrupts their lifecycles, exposes pests to predators and unfavorable conditions, distributes soil
nutrients throughout the soil, aerates the soil and controls weeds, as well as making other farm
cultural practices easier to undertake.
Secondary Tillage
Secondary tillage was done using a hoe and a machete this refined the soil in order to obtain seed
bed condition.

Planting
Spacing
Soil was prepared to a fine medium tilt; there were 24 inches between plants and 4 inches
between rows. The spacing of tomato plants is an important component for healthy productive
plants. Spacing tomato plants any closer than 24 inches will reduce air circulation around the
plants and may result in disease. Tomatoes were given adequate space to allow light to penetrate
the lower leaves of the plants. Tomatoes are sun-loving plants that do best when they receive full
sun for the majority of the day. When plants are spaced too closely, they grow tall as they reach for
the light, developing long, scrawny branches that tend to be weak.

Planting Technique
Tomatoes were carefully taken out of the seed bed. The soil that was covering the roots of the
seedlings were disturbed as little as possible. Each seedlings were placed into individual holes in
the ground 12 inches apart and carefully covered.

Other Cultural Activity

Pruning
This was vital to the plants. It was done using a pruning knife. Pruning is a technique that
involves the selective removal of parts of a plant such a; branches, leaves, and buds. In pruning
the tomato, the buds and leaves were the main targets.
Irrigation
If tomatoes are deprived of water the yield will decrease. A water can system was used to water
tomatoes occasionally. The plants were not irrigated often because of the heavy rainfall.

Staking

This is the process of giving plant support. The tomatoes were staked 2 weeks after they were
transplanted. The side shoots and branches were pruned off to support the plants with a stake,
this reduced the total leaf surface of the plant. Sticks were cut by students to be used as the stake.
The stake was placed on the prevailing downwind side of the plant. This allowed the plant to
lean against the stake when the wind was blowing. The stakes were buried 3-5 inches into the
ground. As the plants grew wires were tied tightly to the stake and loosely around the plant. An
inch was left slack. More ties were added as the plants grew.

Fertilization Application

Type of Fertilizer

N.P.K fertilizer was used in the ratio11.22.22. Ten (10) ounces were applied to each plant. To
grow successfully, tomatoes need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, calcium, and
magnesium, along with other trace minerals. Nitrogen encourages leaf growth. Excessive
nitrogen in tomato plants will encourage excess leaf growth which will discourage growth of
blooms and fruit. Phosphorus (the second number in the N-P-K ratio) encourages flowering, and
therefore fruiting. Once a tomato plant starts flowering, it needs a higher ratio of potassium (the
third number in the N-P-K ratio). Good organic sources of potassium are granite dust and wood
ash. Poultry manure was also applied to plants. It contained granite dust along with other vital
organic matter.

Methods of Application

Fertilizer side dressing was used on the tomato plants. With side dressing crops get an added
boost of energy that takes them through crucial times in their growth. Plants were dressed with
fertilizer by adding it to the side of the stems. A line of fertilizer was laid along the plant row
about 4 inches away from the stems and then another row the same way on the opposite side of
the plants.

Timing

Tomatoes were fertilized towards the end of the rainy season. Watering plants at the end of the
rainy season prevented leaching of the applied nutrients.

Pest and Disease Control

Rate and Method of Application

Many pests and diseases affected the tomato plants. Caterpillars bored holes in fruits and leaves
of the tomato plant. The insecticide Deus was used to control this type of pest. 10ml of Deus was
dissolved in 4.5l of water and used to spray plants. The tomato plants were also affected by
verticillium wilt. Tri Miltox was used to control this plant disease. 30g of Tri Miltox was
dissolved in 4.51l of water and used to spray plants. The method of application of both chemicals
for pest and disease control was spraying.

Timing

Plants were treated based on observation.

Type of Control

Chemical control was the type used on tomato plants.

Harvesting

Maturity Index

The choice of fruit picking time plays a key role in quality and shelf life of the tomato fruits.
Maturity stages were determined based on the green to red colour ratio. The shape of the fruit, if
it is well formed, as well as its overall appearance also determined the harvesting of tomato
fruits.

Method of Harvesting

Tomato fruits were harvested 100 days after being planted. The blooms of the fruits were
carefully watched, as this is where tomatoes begin to ripen. The fruits were lightly squeezed to
test the firmness. The fruits were grasped firmly but gently, and pulled from the plant by holding
the stem with one hand and the fruit with the other, the stalk was broken just above the calyx that
was formed to protect the bud.

Postharvest Activities
After tomatoes were picked they were sorted and grouped according to similarities.
Business Plan

Business Description

Mission Statement

Paulas Potato Pie Production aims to produce potato pies made from sweet potatoes grown
locally by the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) CAPE Agricultural Science
student. The business aims to produce goods of high quality that will fulfill the demand of its
customers.

Goals of Company

To produce quality goods at affordable and reasonable costs.

To meet the demand of its customers.

Description of Product

Paulas potato pie is made from sweet potato, soften butter, sugar, egg, milk, vanilla extract,
cinnamon, ground nutmeg and salt, with a creamy topping. Sweet potato pie is high in
carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

Market Analysis

Customers

Paulas Potato Pie will be sold at the institution. Its customers will be person associated with the
school. Such persons are; teachers, students and other members of staff as well as visitors.

Market Size and Trends

The size of the market will be dependent on the size of the population of the school and the
number of persons visiting the institution. Advertisement with help to increase the market size,
such advertisements will be in general assemble and posted on notice board and distributed to
members of the institution. Seeing that the population is a large one, there will be a large
quantity of potato pies produced. At least two persons from each grade will be employed to act
as delegates

Marketing Plan
Paulas Potato Pie Production will advertise its goods. The products will be advertised in general
assemble, postures will be made and fliers will be distributed. Samples will also be available.
The employed delegates will walked from class and advertise products.

Sales Method
To market products different methods will be implemented. The tuck shop will be stocked with
the products after permission is granted. Delegates will walk from class to class as well as the
different staff rooms to market products.