Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum · love apple

At a Glance

Overview

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an annual plant whose fruit is an edible berry commonly eaten as a vegetable. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which includes tobacco, potato, and chili peppers. The plant is a vine, largely annual, and vulnerable to frost. Modern varieties have been bred for uniform red ripening, a process that has impaired the fruit's sweetness and flavour.

Botanical Description

Tomato plants are vines, largely annual, and vulnerable to frost, though sometimes living longer in greenhouses. The flowers are capable of self-fertilisation. There are thousands of cultivars, varying in size, colour, shape, and flavour. Modern breeding for uniform red ripening has impaired the fruit's sweetness and flavour. The plant is attacked by many insect pests and nematodes and is subject to diseases caused by viruses, mildew, and blight fungi.

Origin and Habitat

The tomato originated from western South America, and may have been domesticated there, in Mexico, or in Central America. The likely wild ancestor, Solanum pimpinellifolium, is native to western South America. Genomic analysis suggests the cultivated tomato originated around 7,000 years ago (5,000 BCE), with substantial uncertainty regarding the domestication process.

Cultivation

Tomatoes require full sun for optimal growth. They are vulnerable to frost and are typically grown as annuals in temperate climates, though they may persist longer in greenhouse conditions. The plant is susceptible to various pests and diseases, including insect pests, nematodes, viruses, mildew, and blight fungi.

Care and Maintenance

Tomatoes require regular watering and well-drained soil. They are vulnerable to frost and should be protected from cold temperatures. The plant is subject to diseases caused by viruses, mildew, and blight fungi, and is attacked by many insect pests and nematodes. Modern varieties bred for uniform ripening may have reduced flavour.

Uses

Tomatoes have a strong savory umami flavour and are an important ingredient in cuisines worldwide. They are widely used in sauces for pasta and pizza, in soups such as gazpacho and tomato soup, in salads and condiments such as salsa and ketchup, and in various curries. Tomatoes are also consumed as juice and in beverages such as the Bloody Mary cocktail.

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Cultivars and Varieties

Pests and Diseases

Quick Care Summary

Facts sourced from Wikipedia / Solanum lycopersicum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_lycopersicum)