Production of tomato and pepper in China

Production of tomato and pepper in China

Shanhua, Tainan AVRDC Taiwan

1989

p.416-421

SB349.A85

The tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, grown for its high nutritive and commercial value, is one of the most popular vegetables in China. It is exported as juices, pastes and whole fruit. The total hectarage of table tomatoes is 210,000 ha and that of processing tomatoes is 10,000 ha. The average yields throughout the country range from 22.5 to 60.0 t/ha. Tomatoes in China are primarily grown on trellises. Flat bed cultivation is practiced in northern China while high raised beds are popular in the provinces south of the Yangtze River. Throughout the country, tomatoes are usually transplanted. The areas along the Yangtze River have a single spring/summer crop, while two crops per year are produced in Guangdong, Hainan, southern Fujian, Taiwan, parts of Yunan, Guizhou and Sichuan. Diseases are the major constraints of tomato production causing fluctuation in production and yield. Early blight (Alternaria solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), Septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici), TMV and CMV are important throughout the country whereas bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) is important in central-south, south and southwest China. The most damaging insect pests of tomato are aphids and corn-earworm. Breeding programs focus on resistance to major diseases (bacterial wilt, TMV, CMV and Septoria leaf spot), fruit cracking and on postharvest constraints. Increasing the soluble solids and lycopene content is the breeding priority for processing tomato. Various national institutes ae involved in tomato breeding in China. The introduction and cultivation of hot and sweet peppers in China dates back to the 14th century. Sweet pepper is an important ingredient in the Chinese cuisine. Pepper is also valued for its medicinal property. The total planting pepper is about 60,000 ha. At an average yield of 28 t/ha, the total annual production is 1.68 million t. Production is concentrated in areas near the big cities of eastern, northern and northeastern China. Only one crop is usually grown. However in northern China, pepper cultivation often extends beyond summer. It is possible to grow two crops per year using plastic or net houses and heated glass houses. Planting density and cultivation methods are location specific. High raised beds are necessary in the south while flat-bed formation is practiced in the north. More than 20 popular pepper cultivars are grown in China. Most are local varieties, with great diversity in color, shape, maturity, pungency, sweetness, environmental adaptability and disease resistance. Diseases and insufficient supply of quality seeds are the major production constraints. The major diseases are viruses (TMV, CMV, PVX and PVY), anthracnose (Colletotrichum sp.), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium albo-atrum), bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria), soft rot (Erwinia carotovora), Phytophthora rot and sun scald. The major insect pests are aphids, corn earworm and spidermites. Breeding programs emphasize improvement of quality, yield and disease resistance. [AS]

Tomato and pepper production in the tropics

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