Agronomic and phytosanitary characterization of tomato production in the Comiteca- Tojolabal Plateau

Abstract

Objective: Agronomic and phytosanitary characterization of tomato production units of the Meseta Comiteca-Tojolabal, Chiapas.

Design/methodology/approach: Seventy-six tomato fields were sampled and the same number of surveys were applied to their respective farmers regarding agronomic practices and phytosanitary status of the crop.

Results: Tomatoes are grown in shade-houses, on plots that mostly do not exceed half a hectare. The most common practices are crop rotation, one tomato cycle per year, incorporation of previous crop residues, and fertilization every 5-8 days. For phytosanitary management, foliar sprays are commonly performed every 5-8 days. Sixty seven percent of producers pre-treat seedlings to prevent diseases and pests. Ninety five percent perform applications of bactericides and fungicides to the roots, during the first 45 days of the crop. The most important pests and diseases are the whitefly, thrips, Bactericera sp, late blight, virus diseases and wilts. The incidence of diseased plants due to root and vascular diseases ranges from zero to 38%. However, low values ​​were more frequent. The severity of wilting at the regional level is low, since 90 % of the evaluated plants did not present symptoms.

Limitations on study/implications: This is the first work that describes agronomic and phytosanitary aspects of tomato cultivation in this region. More research is required with this approach; this work will be the basis for further studies.

Findings/conclusions: Most of the tomato farms are less than 0.5 ha, with an intensive phytosanitary treatment with pesticides. In addition to chemical control, the cultural practices used may be contributing to a low incidence and severity of soil-borne diseases. The most important crop diseases are late blight and virosis.