A photo of tomatoes. [Photo: natuon.co.ke]
Tomato farmers in Maai Mahiu Nakuru county have been asked to brace themselves for adverse effects on their crops with regards to the anticipated rising temperatures. Speaking in Maai Mahiu on Tuesday, the sub-county field extension officer Elizabeth Njoki warned that tomato farmers may suffer set-backs due to problems that come with rising temperatures in tomato farming.
She said tomato plants are likely to be affected by diseases like early blight and fungal blight among others. "To mitigate the impact of fungal diseases on their tomato crops, we advise farmers to start spraying them with recommended fungicides before the temperature rise starts," said Njoki. She also said that the tomatoes were likely to suffer from cracking and splitting which she said comes as a result of weakening of the fruit's protective skin due to much heat.
She advised that laying mulch on the crops would help control the available moisture and reduce the problem. She also advised the farmers to be in touch with her office throughout the season in order to receive specialized advice on their respective tomato crops.