What are the optimum conditions for tomato seedling plant growth?

Best Conditions for growth

Measurement of increasing size

Stem length (cm)

Quantity of leaves (cm)

Length of leaves (cm)

Width of plant (cm)

Soil

Light intensity

Sunlight

Fertiliser

Types of tomatoes
(Naturefresh, 2018)

Grape tomatoes

Characteristics: crispy crunchy, oval-'grape' shape

Grows best in deep rich soil in full sunlight (Rareseeds, n.d.)

Temperature

Saline (sea salt)

Auxanometer (merriam-webster, n.d.)

Dolomite

Sulfur

Urea

Citrus fertiliser

All purpose fertiliser

Thrive all purpose fertiliser

Disadvantgaes

Salt water damages plants due to chloride and sodium ions becoming toxic to the plant as they increase overtime (Bassuk, 2017)

Benefits (Amarasthi N, 2022)

Increased plant growth

Higher yielding rate

Higher resistance to pest and diseases

Fruits or crops may taste better

Less chance of rotting

Higher levels of sugar and vitamins

Can create yield loss (AGRIC, 2019)

Possible decreasing of quality (AGRIC, 2019)

Tomatoes get their flavour from the soil they grow in (Gardena, n.d.)

Fertility rate is greatly reduced in high temperatures (Ayankojo et Morgan, 2020)

Study shows that after several days tomato plants will drop their flowers with a daytime temperature above 29 °C and nighttime temperature above 21 °C (Ayankojo et Morgan, 2020)

Cherry Tomatoes

Characteristics: small in size, 'snappy medium skin' , tender, juicy sweet taste

Needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day, low humidity, frost-free environment, and compost-rich soil to grow best (Jerry Coleby-Williams, G. I. 2023)

Roma Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomatoes

Characteristics: firm, meaty, deep rich colour, comes in a variety of textures and colours, can be sweet or tangy

Use grafted plants, Grows well in high tunnels, high tunnels, need to keep their foliage dry, Need to be pruned often, space them out with 1 foot between plants and 4 feet between rows, and drip irrigation is the preferred watering method (Johnny’s Selected Seeds, n.d.)

Characteristics: few seeds, dense and grainy flesh, meaty, firm, full tangy flavour

Cold temperatures will kill it, only transplant outdoors when nighttime temperatures no longer drop below 10°C, thrives in warm climates, optimum p.h level is between 6.2 and 6.5, needs proper drainage (Kring, L, 2023)

NPK ratio

Tomatos need a fertiliser with high phosphorus level and a high middle number (phosphorous) on the NPK ratio

NPK ratio refers to the ratio of the 3 plant nutrients used in fertiliser, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)

A tool used for measuring plant growth.

provide the plants with nitrogen and promotes green, lush looking leaf growth, Assist in photosynthesis. Can only provide nitrogen used for bloom growth. Comes in solid state (indoramafertilizers, n.d.)

Provides calcium and magnesium to plants and helps in growth. Comes in a solid state and helps prevent Blossom End Rot (BER) (Earthbox, n.d.)

Can increase the yield of tomatoes and used to increase the taste of the tomato, Only used in small amounts as a micronutrient, added to the soil (Hudson, 2015)

10-10-10 NPK ratio, works well fro most plant types, can be good for tomatoes due to high amount of phosphorus (middle number) (Mary, 2023)

NPK of 7.1: 3.8: 9.2 (diggers, n.d.). mainly used to fertilise citrus plants but can feed productive plants and long-flowering plants like roses gardenias, bougainvilleas and hibiscus (flowerpower, n.d.)

NPK of 25: 5: 8.8. Ideal for 'ornamental flowers, shrubs and trees, as well as veggies, herbs and lawns'. Encourages healthy green foliage and flower/bloom growth (Yates, n.d.)

Low in phosphorus so isn't ideal for tomato growth

Could work for tomatoes due to higher ratio of phosphorous

Tomato plants need sunlight for energy so they can grow their fruit so the more sunlight they have the more fruit they can grow (Rhoades, H. 2023 )

The more sunlight they have access to, the better

To grow tomatoes indoors light must be 400 - 500umole/m2 (Enlite Energy Inc, 2021)

Beyond 500umole/m2 rate of photosynthesis will slow which is not ideal for growth. (Enlite Energy Inc, 2021)

Tomatoes need nutrient rich, 'free draining soil'