Condition of land

For tomato manufacture, good tillage is crucial for sufficient soil running and optimal yields. Land grounding should involve enough tillage operations to make the soil suitable for seedling or transplant organization and to provide the best soil organization for root growth and development. The extent to which the root systems of tomato plants develop is unfair by the soil profile. Root development will be restricted if there is a hard pan, compacted layer or heavy clay zone. Tomatoes are considered to be bottomless rooted and, under sympathetic conditions, some roots will grow to a depth of as much as 10 feet. The preponderance of roots, however, will be in the upper 12 to 24 inches of soil. Since root development is severely limited by compacted soil, proper land preparation should eliminate or significantly reduce soil compaction and hard pans. Tillage systems using the moldboard (“bottom” or “turning”) plow prepare the greatest soil volume conducive to vigorous root growth. This allows the expansion of more wide root systems, which can more efficiently access nutrients and water in the soil. Dis king after moldboard plowing tends to re-compact the soil and should be avoided. Compaction pans are in attendance in many soils. They are formed principally by tackle and are normally located at or just below plow depths. Although compaction pans may be only a few inches thick, their inhibitory property on root growth can particularly reduce tomato yields.