Tomatoes - Benfica do Ribatejo, Portugal
Inputs
Soil testing
Soil testing for nutrients is an extremely important factor in environmental protection and in maximising potential returns for the farmer from the crop. This good practice significantly reduces the risk of applying more nutrients than the plant can use, which could possibly then leach into the natural environment. Soil pH levels are also monitored, with optimum readings of around 6.5 required to achieve the best possible growing conditions.
Regular soil testing enables optimal nutrient application and growing conditions.
Seed development
All of the tomato varieties used on the farm have been developed by Heinz. The high quality of the varieties which have been especially adapted for tomato paste production have increased pest and disease resistance with lower input requirements. These factors have helped increase the economics of the farm’s tomato business. All of the tomato plants are developed from natural breeding techniques and no genetically modified tomatoes are planted or used by the farm.
HeinzSeed is recognised globally as a premier hybrid processing tomato seed company. The company develops hybrid tomato varieties that are adapted to various global climates to benefit growers, processors, and end-users everywhere. Heinz’s success in hybrid tomato seeds is rooted in research that is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and continuous improvement in quality and safety, while avoiding the use of GM technology. Through the dedicated efforts of specialist research staff, Heinz has made progress in enhancing disease resistance so tomato crops are less prone to blight, mold, viruses, and bacterial diseases. At the same time, fruit quality laboratories evaluate tomatoes for taste, consistency, colour, soluble solids, uniformity, size, and shape.
Use of premier seeds provides high quality products, with strong yields and minimal negative environmental impact.
Fruitworm management
Benfica do Ribatejo uses pheromone traps to capture the Fruitworm moth and once threshold levels have been met, a treatment programme is established. This has the benefit of reducing pesticide applications from the routine 5-7 days, to a targeted methodology, allowing the most advantageous product to be applied, giving better control in the most cost effective way.
The farm sends the pesticide sprayer to be tested and calibrated annually by an external company. This is tested to the European standard EN 13790, ensuring not only that the sprayer is expertly checked and calibrated but also that it has been done to a recognised quality standard. The farm feels this is extremely important as improper calibration can mean that pesticides are not being applied at the correct rates. Over and under applications can have severe consequences not only to the environment, but also to pest control and the economics of the farming enterprise.
Optimal pesticide application reduces negative environmental impacts while reducing application costs.