Solanum lycopersicum
Sunlight
Full sun — minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight daily
Water
Regular, consistent watering — 25-50 mm per week. Avoid overhead irrigation to reduce foliar disease. Drip irrigation ideal.
Soil
Well-drained, fertile loam with pH 6.0-6.8. Rich in organic matter. Avoid waterlogged or compacted soils.
Temperature
Optimal 21-27°C daytime, 15-20°C nighttime. Fruit set fails above 35°C or below 10°C.
Humidity
Moderate (50-70%). High humidity promotes foliar diseases (late blight, bacterial spot).
Season
Warm season — plant after last frost. In tropics, can be grown year-round with irrigation.
Updated February 2026
¿Es esta Tomato?
Sube una foto y nuestra IA identifica la especie con guía de cuidado y consejos de cultivo.
Overview
The tomato is the world's most widely grown vegetable crop, cultivated across every continent except Antarctica. A warm-season crop requiring 60-90 days to fruit maturity, tomatoes are grown commercially and by smallholder farmers throughout the tropics, subtropics, and temperate regions. They are rich in lycopene, vitamins A and C, and potassium. Tomatoes can be grown in open fields, greenhouses, or containers. They are classified as determinate (bush type, sets fruit all at once) or indeterminate (vining, continuous production). Major production regions include China, India, Turkey, the United States, and Egypt. In sub-Saharan Africa, tomato is the most important vegetable crop, providing income and nutrition to millions of smallholder farming families.
Plant Health
Tomato is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Early detection is critical — use the CuraPlant app to scan leaves and get an instant AI diagnosis.
Tizón temprano del tomate
El tizón temprano del tomate es causado por el hongo Alternaria solani. Produce manchas marrón oscuro con anillos concéntricos en las hojas inferiores, extendiéndose hacia arriba. Maneje con rotación de cultivos, variedades resistentes, acolchado para prevenir salpicaduras del suelo y aplicaciones de fungicida con clorotalonil o productos a base de cobre cuando aparezcan los primeros síntomas.
Tizón tardío del tomate
El tizón tardío del tomate es causado por Phytophthora infestans. Crea lesiones empapadas de agua gris-verdosas que rápidamente se vuelven marrón oscuro, con moho blanco en el envés de las hojas en condiciones húmedas. Puede destruir cultivos en días. Aplique aspersiones preventivas de cobre o mancozeb, destruya plantas infectadas inmediatamente y use variedades resistentes como Mountain Magic o Defiant.
Virus del rizado amarillo de la hoja del tomate
El virus del rizado amarillo de la hoja del tomate (TYLCV) es un begomovirus propagado por moscas blancas (Bemisia tabaci). Las plantas infectadas muestran enrollamiento ascendente de hojas, márgenes de hojas amarillentos, crecimiento atrofiado y caída de flores. No hay cura — el manejo depende de variedades resistentes, control de mosca blanca con neem o imidacloprid, acolchados reflectantes y mallas antiinsectos.
Marchitez por Fusarium del tomate
La marchitez por Fusarium del tomate (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) causa amarillamiento comenzando de un lado de la planta, marchitez y decoloración vascular marrón en tallos. El hongo persiste en el suelo por décadas. Maneje con variedades resistentes portando genes I, I-2, I-3, injerto sobre portainjerto resistente, rotación de cultivos y elevación del pH del suelo a 6,5-7,0.
Marchitez bacteriana del tomate
La marchitez bacteriana del tomate (Ralstonia solanacearum) causa marchitez súbita y rápida de plantas enteras sin amarillamiento. Tallos cortados colocados en agua exudan flujo bacteriano lechoso blanco. No hay cura química. Use variedades resistentes, rotación de cultivos con cultivos no solanáceos, injerto sobre portainjerto resistente y estricta desinfección. La bacteria persiste en suelo y agua de riego.
Oídio
El oídio aparece como manchas pulverulentas blancas en hojas y tallos, causado por hongos Erysiphe o Podosphaera. Prospera en clima cálido y seco con alta humedad. Maneje con aspersiones de azufre, bicarbonato de potasio, aceite de neem, espaciamiento adecuado para flujo de aire y variedades resistentes. A diferencia de la mayoría de las enfermedades fúngicas, NO necesita hojas mojadas para infectar.
Cultivation Guide
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting
Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before field planting
Stake or cage indeterminate varieties for better air circulation and fruit quality
Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and reduce soil splash diseases
Prune suckers on indeterminate types for larger fruit and earlier ripening
Rotate with non-solanaceous crops for at least 3 years
Companion Planting
Strategic companion planting reduces pest pressure, improves pollination, and can significantly increase yields.
Climate & Regions
Active climate zones for Tomato are highlighted below.
Tropical
Suitable
Subtropical
Suitable
Temperate
Suitable
Mediterranean
Suitable
Highland
Suitable
Arid / Semi-arid
Not typical
Specific Zones & Regions
Common Questions
Tomato grows best during the warm season — plant after last frost. in tropics, can be grown year-round with irrigation.. It requires optimal 21-27°c daytime, 15-20°c nighttime. fruit set fails above 35°c or below 10°c. and full sun — minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight daily. In tropical regions with consistent warmth, it can often be grown year-round with proper irrigation.
Tomato is commonly affected by Tomato Early Blight, Tomato Late Blight, Tomato Leaf Curl Virus and 3 others. Regular crop monitoring, good air circulation, avoiding overhead irrigation, and using disease-resistant varieties are the most effective prevention strategies.
Tomato grows best in well-drained, fertile loam with ph 6.0-6.8. rich in organic matter. avoid waterlogged or compacted soils.. For irrigation: regular, consistent watering — 25-50 mm per week. avoid overhead irrigation to reduce foliar disease. drip irrigation ideal.. Maintaining proper soil moisture without waterlogging is critical — Tomato is sensitive to both drought stress and root rot from excess water.
Tomato grows well alongside basil, marigold, carrot, parsley. These companions help repel pests, improve pollination, or provide ground cover. Avoid planting near fennel, brassicas, walnut, which can inhibit growth or share susceptibility to the same pests and diseases.
CuraPlant
Scan any leaf with your phone and get an instant AI diagnosis, treatment guide, and prevention plan — even offline.
