Raising Tomato Seedlings on Different Growth Media

The need to enhance tomato plants, particularly seedling emergence and establishment against unfavorable environmental conditions has led to the use of alternative growth media. Due to slow and erratic germination at low temperature, tomatoes are usually transplanted. Furthermore, tomato is limited in certain climatic conditions either throughout the year or during part of the year because of adverse climatic conditions. The most important issue in successful tomato production is to grow fast, strong and healthy seedlings in shortest possible time. Techniques that will improve the speed of germination, fast seedling establishment and vigorous seedlings need to be employed with balanced mixtures for seedling growing medium. This practice is low cost technique in simple form and is best suitable for raising seedlings and cultivation of crop throughout the year. In places where timely raising of nursery becomes difficult due to adverse climatic conditions,a cheap and simple technology of raising seedlings need to be involved which is cost effective like the use of sawdust and manure. This will facilitate the availability of tomato throughout the year for consumers and industries.