Articles
TOMATO PRODUCTION IN THE COASTAL REGION OF KENYA
Maximum mean temperatures range from 26.8 to 33.6 °C (Taita Hills) to 25.6 °C. Annual rainfall averages from 351 mm (hinterland) to 1426 mm (some parts of the coastal belt) with mainly a bimodal distribution.
Relative humidity can be as high as 72% (coastal belt) while annual evaporation can go up to 2502 mm in the drier areas.
Soils in most parts are well drained, deep and friable.
They range from loamy fine sand to sandy clay loam.
Tomato production in the region is mainly rained although production can be increased, especially in drier areas, by use of irrigation.
The crop is mainly monocropped with yield of 50–60 tons per ha (this is about 50% less than the nationwide yields). Varieties grown are mainly the processing types (Rome, San Marzano, Heinz 1350, Rutgers) although some fresh market types (Money maker, Best of all) are also grown.
The main production practices used include growing plants on ridges, mulching, pruning but not staking, rotation and fertilizing (using inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure). Main production problems include lack of know-how, lack of capital for purchasing the necessary inputs and unavailability of disease (funga, viral) resistant varieties.
Major diseases in the area are early blight (caused by Alternaria solani), septoria leaf spot (caused by Septoria Lycopersici), late blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans), bacterial wilt (caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum) and tobacco mosaic virus.
Blossom-end rot and sunscald are the most common physiological diseases in the region.
Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), American bollworm (Helianthis armigera), tobacco white fly (Bemisia tabaci), leaf hoppers (Empoasca spp.) are the major pests in the region.