tomato are the No . 1 processing veg harvest in the United States , withmore than 400,000 acresin finish supplying more than 14 million ton of the risque red fruit . More than 12 million tons of the tomato plant harvest time goes into prepared nutrient products such as soup , catsup and salsa . Almost 2 million more tons of sassy tomatoes are grown for sales event to consumers .
Production
California and Florida are the largest tomato - produce states . Tomatoes are an one-year veggie that takes around 75 days from transplanting to first harvest . They grow well when daytime temperatures are between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperature are above 60 or 65 level Fahrenheit . The toll of output per acre can be eminent and can present complex trouble to the grower , who must be well-read about soil , fertilizers , pest command , harvest home , merchandising and other disk retention required for an agricultural business .
Variables
Because many unlike varieties of Lycopersicon esculentum are grow in tumid commercial farms , the issue per acre can vary bet on the eccentric of tomato being grown . Other factors enter into the per Akko yield as well . For example , the identification number of plants each Akko contains is an significant determinant : Acres with fewer plant will naturally produce fewer tomatoes than Akko where plants are more crowded .
Per Acre Yields
Tomato harvest are counted by the figure of 25 - pound cartons . On average , one acre of tomato will produce more or less more than 1,500 25 - pound carton , or 37,500 pounds of red , ripe fruit . About 5,000 tomato plants are required to meet this number .
Production Costs
The cost of acquire tomato plant vary greatly , depending on the type of tomatoes being develop , methods of stake , fertilizing and cost of labor . For a originate time of year , you’re able to expect that 200 to 400 hour of labor will be involve for each Akko , which can be $ 2,000 . To break even , you must successfully produce 15 tons of Lycopersicon esculentum . As you bring in experience , monetary value can go down .
Would - be Lycopersicon esculentum farmers are advised to set forth little , perhaps by planting half an Accho , to perfect their science and learn how to efficiently grow tomato plant on a orotund - shell base .
Income Projections
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension has forecast mean income from one Akko of tomatoes . Half the clock time , a grower will net about $ 950 per acre . One year out of six , the grower can ask to earn more than $ 1,400 per acre . But the bad intelligence is that one year out of six , growers can mislay more than $ 3,400 per Akko if weather condition conditions are not suitable or serious louse or disease damage come .
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