ADVANCES IN THE CULTURE OF THE TREE TOMATO (CYPHOMANDRA BETACEAE)

In a study carried out by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) at Medellin in private farms of the State of Antioquia (2 350 – 2 500 m altitude, 2 000 – 2 300 mm rain fall per year, av. temp. 15°C) the following response was found for improved culture practise:

a) Most frequent and commercial variety: ‘Rojo Común’; b) plant density: 625/ha (4 x 4 m); c) fertilization: 8–10 kg organic matter/plant/year; d) pruning: topping of main stem at 30–40 cm keeping 3–4 latteral stems; leaf removal of the lower third of the plant; first branch fixing by means of plastic string to intertwine branches at the onset of flowering; second branch fastening at fructitication, fixing a stake beside the main stem, then holding the branches from the top of the main stem, then holding the branches from the top of the pole using the same string.
Average yields vary from 40–50 t/ha/year.

The main fitosanitary problems are: Antracnose, Gloesporium gloeosporioides, bacterial wilting Pseudomonas solanacearum, nematodes Meloidogyne sp. and the leaf bug Leptoglossus zonatus.

International Symposium on Fruit Growing in Tropical Highlands

G. Osorio

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.310.24