It is sensitive to frost and will not grow perpetually outdoors in most parts of the country. Tomato is considered a tender warm season crop but is actually a perennial plant, although it is cultivated as an annual. Most heirloom garden varieties and greenhouse tomatoes are indeterminate, which means they produce flowers and fruit throughout the life of the plant. These вЂњbushyвЂќ types have a defined period of flowering and fruit development. Most commercial varieties are determinate. There are two types of tomatoes commonly grown. They also contribute B vitamins, potassium, iron and calcium to the diet. One medium ripe tomato (~145 grams) can provide up to 40 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C and 20 percent of Vitamin A. In recent years, they have become known as an important source of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant that acts as an anticarcinogen. Tomatoes have significant nutritional value. Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia produce significant amounts of fresh market tomatoes as well. California and Florida are the leading fresh market tomato producers in the United States. Indiana, Michigan and Ohio are other major producers. Tomatoes are the leading processing vegetable crop in the United States.Д¬alifornia is the leading producer of processing tomatoes in the United States. Global production exceeds 70 million metric tons. Another 1.8 million tons are produced for the fresh market. The yearly production exceeds 14 million tons (12.7 million metric tons), of which more than 12 million tons are processed into various products such as soup, catsup, sauce, salsa and prepared foods. Today more than 400,000 acres of tomatoes are produced in the United States. Use of the crop has expanded rapidly over the past 100 years. Even as late as 1900, many people held the belief that tomatoes were unsafe to eat. Tomatoes were introduced to the United States in 1710, but only became popular as a food item later in that century. Because of these beliefs, the crop was not used for food until the 18 th century in England and France. Tomatine occurs in toxic quantities in the tomato foliage but is converted enzymatically to a non-toxic form in the fruit. Indeed, many crops in this family contain highly toxic alkaloids. Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family and, because of this, were considered for many years to be poisonous. These names are both translated as вЂњlove apple.вЂќ

The first ones introduced there were probably yellow since they were given the name pomodoro in Italy, which means вЂњgolden apple.вЂќ Later the names poma armoris and pomme dвЂ™amour were used in Italy and France. The fruit was introduced to Europe in the mid-1500s. The tomato was first domesticated in Mexico where a variety of sizes and colors were selected. The tomato originated in the area extending from Ecuador to Chile in the western coastal plain of South America. Tomatoes are members of the Solanaceae family, which includes peppers, eggplant, Irish potatoes and tobacco. From processing to fresh market, and from beefsteak to grape tomatoes, the variety and usefulness of the fruit is virtually boundless. Commercially, it is of equally great importance. They can even be produced in window box gardens or in single pots. Almost everyone who has a garden has at least one tomato plant. The tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most widely grown vegetable in the United States. William Terry Kelley and George Boyhan, Extension Horticulturists History, Significance, Classification and Growth For up-to-date chemical recommendations, see the current Georgia Pest Management Handbook. However, chemical pest control recommendations are not included, as these change from year to year. In writing this publication, the authors have strived to provide a thorough overview of all aspects of tomato production. Expertise in the areas of cultural practices, soils and fertility management, pest control, harvesting, post-harvest handling, marketing, and farm record keeping is crucial to profitable production. Per acre cost of production is high, and yields can be severely limited by pest problems or environment.

Tomato production requires highly intensive management, production and marketing skills, and a significant investment.

Tomatoes are an important crop for Georgia growers however, successful tomato production is not easily achieved. This publication provides information that will assist producers in improving the profitability of tomato production, whether they are new or experienced producers. It is comprised of 14 topics on tomato, including history of tomato production, cultural practices, pest management, harvesting, handling and marketing. This publication is a joint effort of the seven disciplines that comprise the Georgia Vegetable Team. History, Significance, Classification and Growth.

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