ABSTRACT
Crop rotation, insect repellants, and disposal of crop residues in the fields are cultural practices that can minimize insect damage in the tropics. Tomato cultivation can be classified by whether the plants are grown outdoors or under protection, whether the plants are grown with supports or on the ground, and whether the plants are transplanted or direct-seeded. Protected cultivation takes many forms ranging from mere rain protection to complete environmental control. Production in permanent greenhouses is a highly technical, intensive, and expensive agricultural enterprise, but it can be very profitable if done properly. Outdoors or in protected cultivation, tomatoes may be either supported or allowed to grow freely on the soil surface. Tomatoes are usually planted as seedlings. Many progressive growers in the tropics control weeds with chemicals, but in home gardens and small tomato fields, hand pulling, hoeing, and mulching are best.
