Tomato PO404 F1 (Processing) | 1000 seeds

Tomato PO404 F1 is a hybrid variety specifically developed for processing purposes.

Here’s a detailed overview of Tomato PO404 F1 (Processing):

Variety Overview

• Type: F1 Hybrid
• Growth Habit: Determinate (bush type)
• Maturity: Mid-season, generally matures around 75-85 days after transplanting.
• Fruit Shape & Size: Produces uniform, blocky, and slightly elongated fruits, usually weighing between 80 to 120 grams.
• Color: Deep red when fully ripe, with a glossy appearance.

Advantages

• High Yield: Offers high productivity, with uniform fruit size and shape, making it suitable for large-scale processing.
• Disease Resistance: Engineered for resistance to several common tomato diseases, including Fusarium Wilt, Verticillium Wilt, and Bacterial Speck.
• Consistency: The hybrid nature ensures consistent fruit quality, size, and color, which is ideal for processing industries.
• Long Shelf Life: Thick skin and firm flesh provide excellent shelf life and transportability.

Growing Conditions

• Climate: Best suited for warm climates but can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions.
• Soil: Requires well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 for optimal growth.
• Watering: Needs regular and even watering, especially during fruit development, to ensure high-quality yields.
• Fertilization: Requires balanced fertilization, with an emphasis on potassium and phosphorus for robust fruiting and disease resistance.

Cultural Practices

• Planting: Should be transplanted with proper spacing—about 50-60 cm between plants and 90-100 cm between rows—to allow for adequate air circulation and sunlight exposure.
• Staking: Light staking may be required due to the plant’s heavy fruit load, although its determinate growth habit limits excessive growth.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning is necessary; focus on removing lower leaves to prevent disease and improve air circulation.

Harvesting

• Timing: Harvest when fruits are fully red and firm. The uniform ripening characteristic makes mechanical harvesting possible, which is advantageous for large-scale processing.
• Yield: High yield potential, often ranging between 30 to 35 tons per hectare under optimal conditions.

Uses

• Processing: Ideal for making tomato paste, sauces, canned tomatoes, and other processed tomato products due to its high solids content and uniformity.
• Fresh Market: Can be used for fresh consumption, although its primary use is in processing.