In the southern region, the alpine summer climate offers a cool environment ideal for tomato cultivation. This favorable condition not only enhances the urban vegetable supply during the summer months of August to October but also boosts farmers' income, making it a promising agricultural practice that should be widely promoted.
(1) **Location Selection**: It is recommended to choose mountainous areas with an elevation above 600 meters. For every 100-meter increase in altitude, the temperature decreases by approximately 0.5–0.6°C. At altitudes above 600 meters, the average temperature can be 3–4°C cooler than at the same latitude on the plains. During June to September, daytime temperatures range from 25–26°C, and nighttime temperatures drop to 16–17°C, which is perfect for tomato growth. The location should also be easily accessible for transportation and management.
(2) **Soil Selection**: Slightly acidic soils are preferred for tomato cultivation. Many southern mountainous regions have acidic red or yellow soils. However, if the pH is below 5.5, bacterial wilt may occur more frequently, so careful soil testing is essential before planting.
(3) **Slope Orientation**: A southeast or south-facing slope with ample sunlight is ideal. West-facing slopes receive intense sunlight from July to August, which can be too harsh for tomatoes and may lead to heat stress or sunburn.
(4) **Variety Selection**: Alpine soils tend to be less fertile, and the growing season may be affected by early low temperatures and rain. Therefore, medium- to late-maturing varieties with strong growth vigor are recommended. Varieties such as "Strong Rice Age" or "TM-2nv Beijing Zaoxiang Hybrid" are suitable for this environment.
(5) **Sowing and Seedling**: The sowing date should be determined based on market demand. To meet off-season needs, the first batch should be ready more than 10 days after spring ends, ensuring availability through the summer and autumn seasons. Mid-late and late-maturing varieties can be sown in early April, with seedlings transplanted after 30–40 days of growth.
(6) **Planting Density**: In high-altitude areas, it's common to plant about 2,500 plants per acre, with double-stem pruning to maximize yield and manage plant growth effectively.
(7) **Fertilization**: If the soil pH is 6 or lower, 50–100 kg of lime per acre should be applied to improve soil conditions. A base fertilizer of 1,500–2,000 kg of compost, 15–20 kg of superphosphate, and 50–100 kg of cake fertilizer should be added before planting. During the growing season, 2–3 applications of manure and 2–3 top-dressings of nitrogen fertilizer (15–20 kg of urea per application) are recommended to support healthy development.
(8) **Weeding and Mulching**: Regular weeding is necessary to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth, especially in dry conditions.
(9) **Pest and Disease Control**: During the growing period, spray a 0.4% Bordeaux mixture every 7–10 days to prevent fungal diseases. If pests like tobacco budworm or cotton bollworm appear, apply cypermethrin at a concentration of 3,000–4,000 times or 4,000–5,000 times, depending on severity, to protect the crop effectively.
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