A Complete Guide On Tree Tomato Farming In Kenya
Tree tomato farming, also known as tamarillo farming, has gained significant growth in Kenya as a profitable agricultural venture. With its high nutritional value and increasing market demand, tree tomatoes have become a favored crop among farmers seeking sustainable and lucrative opportunities.
Why Choose Tree Tomato Farming?
Tree tomatoes, scientifically known as Solanum betaceum, are small, egg-shaped fruits that grow on perennial plants. They are renowned for their rich flavor, vibrant color, and exceptional nutritional profile. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants and minerals, tree tomatoes offer numerous health benefits, including improved immunity, enhanced vision, and heart health support.
One of the key advantages of tree tomato farming is its adaptability to various agro-ecological zones in Kenya. From highlands to lowlands, tree tomatoes can thrive in diverse climatic conditions, making it an ideal choice for farmers across the country. Additionally, tree tomatoes are relatively low-maintenance crops, requiring less water and exhibiting resilience to pests and diseases when compared to other fruit crops.
Market Demand and Profitability
The market demand for tree tomatoes in Kenya has witnessed a remarkable upsurge in recent years. Locally, tree tomatoes are highly sought after due to their exceptional taste and nutritional value. They are used in a wide array of culinary applications, including jams, jellies, sauces, and juices, making them a versatile ingredient in the food and beverage industry.
Moreover, tree tomatoes have gained popularity in international markets, with countries like Europe, the United States, and Canada importing significant quantities of these fruits. This presents a tremendous opportunity for Kenyan farmers to tap into the export market and generate substantial profits.
Tree Tomato Farming Techniques and Best Practices
To ensure a successful tree tomato farming venture, farmers must employ effective cultivation techniques and follow best agricultural practices. Here are some key considerations:
- Site Selection: Choose a well-drained site with access to sunlight and protection from strong winds.
- Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter and ensuring adequate drainage. Tree tomatoes prefer slightly acidic to neutral soils with a pH range of 6.0-7.0.
- Seedling Production: Start by germinating tree tomato seeds in a nursery. Transplant healthy seedlings to the main field once they reach a suitable height.
- Planting and Spacing: Plant the seedlings at a spacing of approximately 3-4 meters between rows and 2-3 meters within rows to allow ample room for growth and efficient management.
- Irrigation and Water Management: Tree tomatoes require consistent watering, especially during dry periods. Implement proper irrigation systems to ensure optimal moisture levels.
- Pruning and Training: Prune the trees regularly to promote proper air circulation, reduce disease incidence, and maintain desired tree shape. Stake or trellis the plants to provide support as they grow.
- Pest and Disease Management: Monitor the orchard for common pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and fruit flies. Implement integrated pest management strategies and use organic pesticides when necessary.
- Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling: Harvest tree tomatoes when they attain the desired color and firmness. Handle the fruits with care to avoid damage, and store them in a cool, well-ventilated area to prolong shelf life.
The field in which to grow Tomato tree should have free draining soil and be able to supply water when needed. Water logging, even for a short time, is detrimental to plant growth. Optimum pH for growth is about 6.
Varieties of Tree Tomato In Kenya
Red Oratia
Great to eat raw, cooked or for decorating other food for your table, reds have deep red skin and dark red pigmentation around the seeds. They look striking when sliced or cut in half.
A great source of anti-oxidants and full of natural vitamins and minerals, red tamarillos deliver the full exotic flavour of the traditional fruit and make a great drink, snack, main course or desert.
Goldmine
The Goldmine variety is distinguished by its golden yellow skin and tangy-sweet taste. It is often used for making jams, jellies, and sauces, as its bright color adds an appealing visual element to culinary creations.
Tamarillo Grande
As the name suggests, Tamarillo Grande produces large-sized fruits with a deep red hue. It is favored for its sweet and aromatic flavor, making it a preferred choice for eating fresh or incorporating into various dishes.
Kiambu Ruby
Kiambu Ruby is a variety developed specifically for Kenyan conditions. It is characterized by its red skin and sweet taste. Kiambu Ruby tree tomatoes are highly productive and have good disease resistance.
Amber
Ambers are the sweetest of the three varieties. They are smaller in size and they have a milder, sweeter flavour. The skin is golden with a red blush making an attractive colour combination on your table.
FOR TREE TOMATO SEEDLINGS: CALL 0724-559286 OR 0790-509684
Propagation in nursery
Seed extraction
The tamarillo seeds should be extracted from fruits harveted on vigorous and heavy fruit bearing and healthy trees to prevent seed borne diseases.
Fruits are harvested at their physiological maturity after they have changed completely the colour and are kept in a dark place for about 1 to 2 weeks. Before cutting the fruits to remove the seeds, fruits are washed in wáter containing a desinfectant like JIK (1%).
After being extracted from fruits, seeds are also washed in wáter containing a desinfectant and the sticky substance around the seeds is completely washed out. Then, seed are dried in absence of direct sun light for about 3-10 days after which they are ready for sowing and they can keep germination power for about 3 month in dry and cool storage conditions.
One gram (1g) contains about 150-160 seeds.
Nursery site selection and preparation
- The ideal site for the nursery should be under the sun and not have been grown with crops of the same family for last 3-4 seasons. The nursery soil should be well aerated, drained and with good pH. The site should be ploughed to a depth of 20-30 cm and removed with stones, weeds and debris.
- The nursery soil should also be free from diseases and pests. It should be applied with well decomposed organic manure (5 kg/m2) and the inorganic fertilizer such NPK 17-17-17 (20 g/m2) one week before sowing as well as fungicide and insecticide 2-3 days before sowing.
- The raised beds of 1-1.2m width and 20cm depth are made.
Sowing and nursery management
- The quantity of seeds required is 25g for 1ha (2.5g for 1 are). Care should be taken to use non expired seed and this from credited sources.
- During the day of sowing, the bed surface is levelled and sowing lines of 0.5cm depth are made using a stick. Seeds are sown in lines at the spacing of 20cm x 5cm and are covered with soil. Then, the much is applied on the bed, followed by regular watering. Movable shade is also provided to protect tree tomato seedlings from direct sunlight and heavy rain intensity.
- Upon germination (7-10 days after sowing), the mulching material is removed. The seedlings should be protected from the direct sunlight.
- One month after sowing, when seedlings are about 5cm in height they are transplanted in pots having 13 cm diameter.
- Fungicides like Mancozeb (2.5g/L of water) and insecticides like Lambda-Cyhalothrin (1m/1L of water) can be applied when necessary.
- To harden the seedlings, watering frequency is reduced and seedlings are gradually exposed to direct sunlight 1-2 weeks before transplanting.
- Seedlings will be ready for planting in main field about 3 months after sowing.
Transplanting
The season A is the best time for transplanting. Planting holes of 2x2x2 feet are prepared and the soil mixed well with 20kg of organic manure.
Tamarillo plants are planted in rows with 1.5 m – 2 m between plants and 2 m between rows. This makes 2500 plants per hectar for the spacing 1.5m and 2 m spacing between plants, respectively.
Crop management of Tree Tomotoes
Mulching
Mulching is a popular agronomic practice in agriculture and it has many advantages which include: to prevent loss of soil moisture, to control weeds by shading them and diseases by preventing soil contact with the plant foliage, to control soil temperature, either by keeping it cool or keeping it warm, to add to soil fertility and increase soil organic matter content when organic mulch is used and decay takes place.
Irrigation
Tamarillo plants are sensitive to drought. Lack of water limits plant growth, fruit size and yields. It is likely that tamarillo plants will need irrigation during dry periods and peak growth times. Water should reach right through the root zone. How regularly you need to irrigate will depend on how well your soil holds moisture, and the time of year. It is a good idea to get advice about the most suitable irrigation for your situation.
Weeding
Weed control is also important as some weeds such as chickweed and deadly nightshade can harbour viruses that infect tamarillos. Weeds also compete for light, water and nutrients especially when tamarillos are young.
Pruning
Tall plants grown from seed should be cut back at planting. Prune the main stem to about 0.5m to promote branching lower on the tree (they naturally branch at about 2m). However, plants grown from cuttings are likely to grow with many low branches. These may need to be removed so the plant branches far enough above the ground. Regular removing of waterspouts is important so as improve on aeration in crop canopy.
Fruit is produced on the current season’s growth. Pruning helps to balance total yield and fruit size. On un-pruned plants, fruit is produced further and further out on the branch each season. This leaves old growth in the middle without fruit. Old growth is weak; so un-pruned branches may break, reducing overall yield.
When pruning, you should remove old, dead and diseased wood.
Fertilization
The light, well drained soils that tamarillo plants grow best on often have problems with nutrient leaching and may not be very naturally fertile. It is recommended that you test the soil at your chosen site for nutrients and that any lacking nutrients are applied before you plant your crop.
Tamarillo plants respond well to high levels of organic manure and have a high requirement for nitrogen, potassium and magnesium in particular. It may also be necessary to apply phosphorus as some soils are very low in available phosphate. Once soil nutrients are at a reasonable level it is recommended that you apply potassium and phosphate annually and nitrogen several times throughout the growing season.
It is recommended to apply 25-50T/ha of organic manure at the time of planting. The nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium required per year are 100:100:100kg/ha which makes about 600kg of NPK 17-17-17. This mineral fertilizer is applied into 3 splits: at planting, 3 month and 6 months after planting. For the following years, the recommended NKP is also given into 3 splits at 4 months intervals.
Pests and Disease Of Tree Tomato
Pests
| Pest | Prevention | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | – Regularly monitor plants for aphid infestations | – Spray affected plants with insecticidal soap |
| – Remove weeds and debris that attract aphids | – Introduce natural predators (e.g., ladybugs) | |
| – Maintain good plant nutrition and health | ||
| Whiteflies | – Use reflective mulches to deter whiteflies | – Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to affected |
| – Install yellow sticky traps | plants | |
| – Introduce beneficial insects (e.g., parasitic | – Prune heavily infested branches | |
| wasps) | ||
| Fruit Flies | – Harvest tree tomatoes promptly | – Set up traps with bait (e.g., vinegar and dish soap) |
| – Properly dispose of fallen or overripe fruits | – Maintain good orchard sanitation | |
| – Use fine mesh nets or bags to protect fruits | ||
| Caterpillars | – Handpick caterpillars and destroy them | – Apply organic insecticides specifically labeled |
| – Encourage natural predators (e.g., birds) | for caterpillar control | |
| – Keep the orchard clean and free of debris | – Use pheromone traps to capture adult moths | |
| Thrips | – Remove and destroy infested plant parts | – Spray affected plants with insecticidal soap or |
| – Encourage beneficial insects (e.g., predatory | neem oil | |
| mites) | ||
| – Maintain good plant hygiene and sanitation | ||
| Spider Mites | – Regularly spray plants with water to reduce | – Apply a miticide specifically formulated for |
| mite populations | spider mite control | |
| – Introduce predatory mites or other natural | – Prune heavily infested branches | |
| enemies | ||
| – Avoid over-fertilization to minimize mite | ||
| susceptibility |
It’s important to note that prevention and control methods may vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the specific circumstances. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices, which combine multiple strategies, are recommended for effective pest control in tree tomato farming.
Additionally, always follow the instructions provided on pesticide labels and consider organic and environmentally friendly options whenever possible. Regular monitoring, proper orchard management, and maintaining overall plant health are key factors in preventing and managing pest issues effectively.
Diseases
| Disease | Symptoms | Prevention | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Blight | – Dark, water-soaked spots on leaves and fruits | – Rotate crops to prevent disease buildup | – Remove and destroy infected plant parts |
| – Leaf yellowing and wilting | – Provide adequate plant spacing for air | – Apply copper-based fungicides | |
| – Brown concentric rings on fruits | circulation and drying | ||
| – Avoid overhead watering | |||
| Late Blight | – Dark, water-soaked spots on leaves and stems | – Choose resistant varieties | – Remove and destroy infected plant parts |
| – White fungal growth on undersides of leaves | – Provide good air circulation and reduce | – Apply copper-based fungicides | |
| – Browning and rotting of fruits | plant density | ||
| – Avoid overhead irrigation | |||
| Powdery Mildew | – White, powdery fungal growth on leaves and | – Plant in well-ventilated areas | – Apply sulfur-based fungicides |
| stems | – Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization | – Remove and destroy infected plant parts | |
| – Leaf curling and distortion | – Provide adequate spacing for air circulation | – Improve plant hygiene and sanitation | |
| – Reduced fruit development and quality | – Avoid overcrowding plants | ||
| Bacterial Canker | – Dark, sunken lesions on stems and fruits | – Use disease-free seeds or seedlings | – Remove and destroy infected plant parts |
| – Wilting and dieback of branches | – Practice crop rotation to reduce disease | – Apply copper-based bactericides | |
| – Gummosis (oozing of bacterial exudate) | buildup | ||
| – Avoid overhead irrigation and splashing water | |||
| Verticillium Wilt | – Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves | – Plant disease-resistant varieties | – Remove and destroy infected plant parts |
| – Browning and drying of affected branches | – Practice crop rotation to reduce disease | – Improve soil drainage and aeration | |
| – Stunted growth and reduced yield | buildup | – Apply fungicides labeled for verticillium wilt | |
| – Avoid excessive soil moisture |
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of the diseases that can affect tree tomatoes. Prevention measures and remedies may vary depending on the specific disease and its severity.
Implementing good agricultural practices such as crop rotation, maintaining proper plant hygiene, using disease-resistant varieties, and providing optimal growing conditions can help prevent and manage disease outbreaks. Additionally, consulting with local agricultural extension services or experts can provide valuable guidance on disease management specific to your region.
Harvesting Tree Tomato
Tamarillos start producing fruit 10-12 months after planting, yields of up to 16 tones/ha are possible, but production tends to drop off as the crop is getting old as some trees may be lost. The commercial life of a tamarillo plantation is about 8 years when diseases are well managed.
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