Tree Tomato Farming: Know How it is Cultivated and its Benefits

By the name of Tree Tomato, many people think that it is a variety of tomato, but it is not so. It is not a tomato but a special kind of fruit, and it is called tamarillo. Its scientific name is Cyphomandra Betaacea Sendt. Its plants are small and bushy. Tree tomatoes are mainly cultivated in South Africa, Hong Kong, China, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Tree Tomato Farming in India is done in the hilly regions of Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Along with its cultivation, farmers can also earn extra by making value-added products like jam, jelly, pickles, and chutney.

Specialty of Tree Tomato

Tree tomato plants can be planted from seed or cuttings. Keeping washed and dried seeds in the refrigerator for 24 hours before sowing helps in quick germination. For grafting, take about 1-inch long wood from a 1-2-year-old tree, which should be 18 to 30 inches long. Cuttings can be planted directly in the ground. Tree tomato fruits hang in clusters of 3-12. These are 5-10 cm long and 4-5 cm wide oval-shaped. Its fruits become yellow, orange, or red in color after ripening. The color of the fruit depends on the variety of the plant. Raw fruits should not be eaten, as they can be poisonous. The fruits should be eaten only after ripening on the tree.

Soil Type for Tree Tomato Cultivation

For the cultivation of tree tomato, fertile light soil with a good amount of oxygen and a proper drainage system is suitable. Soil with organic matter is also considered good for this. Its trees need to be protected from strong wind.

Time taken by fruit to ripe

Flowers start coming in it only after 6 months of sowing and in one and a half to two years the tree tomato trees start bearing fruits and in 5-6 years the fruit is at its peak. About 25-30 kg of fruits are obtained from a tree in a year. The fruits are ready to ripen in about 25 weeks.

How to Plant

If you live in an area with strong winds, keep a distance of 1.2 to 1.5 m between the plant and the row. In other places, a distance of 2-3 meters can be kept between the plant and the rows. Tree tomato plants have shallow roots, so they need plenty of water to grow well. The use of fertilizers is also important. Apply half of it in early spring and use the other half in summer. Use mulch to retain soil moisture. For the good development of the plants, its harvesting is necessary.

Prospects in Hilly Areas

Tree tomato, rich in many nutrients, is also used to prevent many diseases. In such a situation, tree tomato cultivation can be beneficial. Its cultivation in the hilly areas of the country can give benefits to the farmers. Also, farmers can get additional income by making its value addition products like jam, jelly, pickle, chutney etc. The specialty of this fruit is that it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 weeks.

Also Read: Moong Cultivation: Why is it beneficial to cultivate moong in summer?

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