Tomato

Overview

Tomato, from central Ecuador through Peru to northern Chile, is native to western South America. It has been widely introduced and grown worldwide. A fruit that's really well known. They have an oil in addition to their edible fruits, can be used as insect repellents and have a number of common medicinal uses.
 

Vernacular Names

Makhua-thet (Thai), Cà chua (Vietnamese), Kamatis (Tagalog), Peeng pâh (Cambodia), Khüa sômz (Laos).
 

Agroecology

For high yield and premium quality, Tomato needs plenty of light, humidity and warmth. Tomato is intolerant to low frost and cold temperatures. Frost kills plants and flowers, and cool night temperatures interfere with the formation of pollen and the ripening of fruits. High temperatures above 27 ° C are harmful to the collection and development of fruit. For a good fruit collection, tomato needs a temperature range of 15-20 ° C, as it is grown in
the cool highlands in tropical areas.
 

Morphology

• Stem - branched, spreading 60–180 cm
• Leaves - spirally arranged, pubescent on both surfaces, imparipinnate compound, in out-line 15–50 cm long by 10–30 cm wide on 3–6 cm long petioles.
• Flowers - on 1–1.5 cm pedicel, bisexual, regular, 1.5–2 cm across, pendent.Fruits - berries that vary in diameter from 1.5 to 7.5 cm or more.
• Seeds - flattened ovoid, 3-5 mm × 2-4 mm, up to 250 per fruit, light brown and hairy.

Cultivation

• On most mineral soils, tomato seeds do very well but they prefer rich, well-drained sandy loams.
• With little sand and strong clay in the subsoil, the upper layer of soil should be porous.
• 15 to 20 cm soil depth proves to be ideal for a safe crop.

Chemical Constituents

Hydrocarbon carotenoids and xanthophylls, xanthophylls, such as lutein, contain oxygen in addition to carbon and hydrogen

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• Breast, bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, stomach, lung, ovaries, pancreas, and prostate cancer prevention.
• It is also used to prevent diabetes, heart and blood vessel disorders (cardiovascular disease), asthma and cataracts.
• It is a rich source of antioxidants and a dietary source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• In treating toothache, a decoction of the root is swallowed.
• The leaves, which are mixed with castor oil (Ricinus communis), are used for the treatment of early leprosy spots.
• A paste of the leaves on a sore groin is added to filarial worm swellings.
• Sliced fruits for burns, scalds, and sunburn are a fast and simple first aid treatment.