Tomato

Hydroponic tomato farming in India and the complete process of growing hydroponic tomatoes. Hydroponic tomatoes are grown in a nutrient solution rather than soil, while they are placed in a non-soil material that can support their roots. Growing tomatoes hydroponically allows the grower to raise them in a controlled environment with less chance of plant disease, faster plant growth, and greater crop yield.Several tomato varieties have been particularly developed for hydroponic production in controlled environments. All tomato varieties have indeterminate morphology; meaning vegetative growth of the plant is continual and does not stop once flowering begins. This wants long tomato “vines” which must be trained up strings hanging from the greenhouse structures to maximize space and manage the crop. Some of the more popular tomato varieties are Apollo, Belmondo, Caruso, Dombito, Larma, Perfecto, Trend and Trust. These are hybrid tomato varieties, and the seed can be rather expensive. This can lead some novice growers to consider germinating seeds from mature fruit, but those successive generations will not necessarily have the same characteristics of the parent plants. India is the fruit and vegetable basket of the world. India being a home of wide variety of fruits and vegetables holds a unique position in production figures among other countries. Over 90% of India’s exports in fresh products goes to west Asia and East European markets. However, it needs to augment its food and processing industry at a mega scale, according to an agriculture consultant.

Ideal conditions

• EC: 2.0–5.0
• pH range: 5.5–6.5
• Temperature: 60–90º F (58–79 best)

Tomatoes, as a fruiting crop, are nutrient hogs. They like heat and will grow well in the same environment as crops like okra or basil.

Growing media for hydroponic tomatoes

Various growing media are mainly used in hydroponic systems. However, any system has the following four qualities

• Sufficient support for the tomato plants
• Proper distribution of air, since roots need oxygen and respire other gasses, such as carbon dioxide
• Maximum water availability for the tomato plant roots
• Accessible nutrient solution with consistent chemical characteristics
• Liquid (non-aggregate) Hydroponic Systems

Process of growing hydroponic tomatoes

Hydroponics is a pure, clean process of cultivation. For this reason, it is recommended you start tomatoes directly from seed. Bringing tomato plants in from outside creates a potential for pest and disease contamination. Start tomato seeds in one-inch rock wool starter cubes in a standard nursery tray with a dome. Rockwool cubes should be pre-soaked in water adjusted to a pH level of 4.5 before planting and keep them covered tray in a moist, warm (20-25°C) environment until seedlings begin to sprout. Once vegetation appears, and then immediately moves the seedling into a light source, metal halide or fluorescent lights, for at least 12 hours per day and remove domes. Failure to give light soon enough will cause seedlings to bolt in search of a light source. Ensure plant roots are never exposed to the light as this will cause damage and death to the roots and delay plant growth. There are different hydroponic methods used for cultivating tomatoes indoors. Space restrictions, type of tomato and plant size all have to be considered when choosing a hydroponic system.

The most common process employed for large plants is the drip irrigation system. Place seedlings under artificial light once they sprout and the plants sprout, remove the covering and place the seedlings under a light source for at least 12 hours a day. Only use incandescent light bulbs as a last resort, as these create more heat than other options.