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Tomato Kumato was developed at the end of the 20th century in Europe. In Russia, it has been grown for about 10 years, but the variety has not become widespread, so there is no planting material in mass sale. The culture was bred by crossing a wild-growing species and an early-ripening Olmec tomato, blackberry genetic material was added to the hybrid, which gives the fruit an exotic color. The variety is patented by the Swiss company Syngenta, which supplies fruits and vegetables all over the world. Kumato comes to the retail chain in branded packaging, as it is a brand of Swiss agribusiness.
Characteristics and description of the Kumato tomato variety
The mid-early Kumato tomato variety ripens 110 days after germination. The plant is not intended for mass cultivation. Tomatoes are grown only in a protected area with constant temperature, humidity and enhanced lighting.
The microclimate is created as close as possible to the historical homeland (Spain). Therefore, the region of cultivation does not matter, more often the Kumato tomato variety is found in the greenhouses of Siberia. If agricultural technology is not followed, the tomato produces fruits of various weights and shapes. The surface is dominated by green pigmentation.
Tomato variety Kumato is of an indeterminate type, therefore, without height correction, it can grow more than two meters. Limit the height of the tomato in accordance with the size of the support at the level of 1.8 m. The plant is not a standard type, but also gives a little side shoots. A bush is formed with 2 trunks, the main and the first strong stepson. The rest of the shoots are removed throughout the growing season.
Tomato is undemanding to soil moisture, refers to drought-resistant. Subject to the temperature and lighting conditions, the variety gives a stable yield. The plant has a powerful root system that grows to the sides by about 1 m. 1 m2 no more than 2 bushes are planted. A dense planting affects the fruiting of the tomato. The fruits reach biological ripeness by the beginning or middle of July, up to 8 kg are harvested from one bush, from 1 m2 within 15 kg.
In the process of hybridization of the black tomato Kumato, the main direction was to improve self-defense against diseases. The variety is resistant to fungal infection that develops in conditions of high humidity in greenhouses: alternaria, late blight. Not affected by the leaf mosaic virus. Preventive measures are taken against pests, insects do not parasitize on the crop.
External description of the Kumato tomato variety:
- The central stem is thick, light green, with an uneven structure. Intensely downy with fine pile.
- The foliage of the bush is medium, the leaves are small, oblong with jagged edges. The surface of the dark green leaf plate is corrugated, with sparse pubescence.
- It blooms with bright yellow single flowers, the variety is self-pollinated, each flower gives a viable ovary.
- Bookmark the first brush under 11 sheets, subsequent ones every three sheets. Clusters are long, hard, filling 6-8 fruits.
- The root system is superficial, widely spreading to the sides.
Brief description and taste of fruits
The visiting card of black Kumato tomatoes is the exotic color of the fruits and gastronomic advantages. The tomato has a well-balanced taste, the concentration of acids is minimal.The chemical composition is dominated by sugars, their level is optimal so that the tomato does not seem bland. Tomatoes with a pronounced aroma and blackberry flavor.
Description of fruits:
- black-fruited tomato Kumato changes color as it grows, from dark green to brown with a burgundy tint;
- fruits are leveled, round, the size of the first circle and the last one do not differ, weight 95–105 g, diameter 5–6 cm;
- the peel is dense, thin, not prone to cracking, on the surface near the stalk, slight green pigmentation is possible;
- the pulp is juicy, dense in consistency, without voids and white fragments, in color one tone lighter than the peel.
The fruits of the Kumato tomato are used fresh for making salads, slicing, and assorted vegetables. They are used extremely rarely for conservation, although the fruits tolerate heat treatment well.
Pros and cons of the variety
According to vegetable growers, the Kumato tomato variety shown in the photo is characterized by the following advantages:
- high productivity;
- uniform ripening;
- the same mass of fruits and filling of the upper and lower brushes;
- does not require constant watering;
- disease and pest resistance;
- high gastronomic appreciation;
- long shelf life (up to 14 days after collection it retains its presentation);
- good transportability. During transportation it is not subject to mechanical damage.
The disadvantage of the variety is: intolerance to lower temperatures, growing only in a greenhouse.
Useful properties of Kumato tomatoes
The Kumato tomato can be classified as a dietary vegetable. The fruits do not contain allergens inherent in red varieties, so tomatoes are not contraindicated for children prone to allergies. The chemical composition of the variety contains a high concentration of anthocyanin, which makes tomatoes dark. This active substance is responsible for cell regeneration. Tomato contains an order of magnitude more vitamins A, B, C than other varieties. The fruits are rich in fructose and serotonin (the "hormone of joy").
Planting and care rules
Tomato varieties Kumato are bred with seeds, grown in seedlings.
Planting material can be harvested from the mother plant if it is indeed Kumato. If in the previous season the seeds were harvested from a tomato that was dusty from other varieties, in the first year of the growing season the plant will not look different from varietal fruits, but the planting material from it will give tomatoes of unexpected color and shape. If you collect material from branded vegetables, the seeds will sprout, but you need to monitor the purity of the variety and not plant other types of tomatoes nearby.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Before laying in the ground, the planting material is soaked for 2 hours in a manganese solution, then washed and placed in a preparation that stimulates growth for 1.5 hours. Disinfection of tomato seeds will exclude the development of fungal and viral infections. Sequence of work:
- A nutrient mixture is prepared from peat, compost and river sand (in equal parts).
- Pour soil into containers or wooden boxes.
- Furrows are made with a depth of 2 cm, and the seeds are laid out.
- Watered, covered with soil.
- Cover the containers with glass or polyethylene from above.
The container is removed to a lighted room with an air temperature of +250 C. After emergence, the cover is removed.
The seedlings grow until the third leaf appears, then they dive into plastic cups. Sowing work is carried out in mid-March.
Transplanting seedlings
In the greenhouse, the Kumato tomato is planted in mid-May. Pre-dug up the soil and apply phosphorus fertilizer. A planting hole is made 25 cm deep, 30 cm wide, the tomato is placed vertically, covered with earth. 1 m2 2 plants are placed, the distance between the bushes is 50 cm. A trellis is constructed for the subsequent fixation of the bushes.
Tomato care
Tomato Kumato at the time of flowering is fed with ammonia fertilizer.The next fertilization with phosphorus is given to the plant during the formation of the fruit. Water every 10 days. Loosen the topsoil, weeds removed as needed.
A tomato bush is formed with two stems. The plant must be fixed to the support. During the entire growing season, the formed stepsons are removed, the lower leaves and brushes are cut off, from which ripe tomatoes were removed. After the first garter, the root circle is mulched with straw.
Conclusion
Tomato Kumato is a medium early indeterminate variety intended for cultivation in a greenhouse. The culture is drought-resistant, but demanding on temperature and lighting conditions. Due to the unusual color of the fruit, the variety belongs to the exotic type. In Russia, the culture is not grown in large volumes, the firm of the copyright holder is not interested in the mass sale of seed, so that the brand does not lose its relevance.
