Tomato is one of the most important and widely grown vegetable crops in India. Known for its versatility, tomatoes are used in fresh consumption, cooking, salads, sauces, ketchup, pickles, and processed products. India is the second-largest producer of tomatoes in the world, with major tomato-producing states including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
Farmers across India cultivate a variety of tomato types, including open-pollinated varieties (OPVs), hybrids, and improved varieties to meet market demands, climatic adaptability, and disease resistance. This article highlights the top tomato varieties in India, their characteristics, uses, and cultivation regions.
1. Pusa Ruby
Pusa Ruby is one of the most widely cultivated open-pollinated varieties developed by IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute). It is known for its early maturity and consistent yield.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Color: Bright red
- Uses: Fresh consumption, salads
- Regions: Suitable for North India
- Characteristics: Early maturing (120-130 days), high yield, good shelf life
2. Arka Rakshak
Arka Rakshak is a high-yielding hybrid variety developed by IIHR (Indian Institute of Horticultural Research). It is known for its resistance to bacterial wilt, tomato leaf curl virus, and early blight.
- Fruit Shape: Oval to round
- Color: Bright red
- Uses: Fresh markets, cooking, processing
- Regions: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics: High disease resistance, firm fruits, long shelf life
3. Arka Vikas
Arka Vikas is an early-maturing variety that is popular for its high yield and adaptability to different climates. It is grown widely for fresh markets and cooking purposes.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Color: Deep red
- Uses: Fresh consumption, cooking
- Regions: All tomato-growing states
- Characteristics: Early maturity, high yield, good quality
4. Namdhari 2535
Namdhari 2535 is a popular indeterminate hybrid variety grown for its uniform size and attractive fruit color. It is widely grown in greenhouses and open fields.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Color: Uniform red
- Uses: Fresh markets, table purpose
- Regions: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat
- Characteristics: Firm fruits, high productivity, disease tolerance
5. Pusa Early Dwarf
Pusa Early Dwarf is another open-pollinated variety developed for its early maturity and high yield potential. It is ideal for fresh markets and household cultivation.
- Fruit Shape: Small to medium, round
- Color: Bright red
- Uses: Fresh consumption, salads
- Regions: North India
- Characteristics: Early harvest, compact growth, high yield
6. Arka Saurabh
Arka Saurabh is a semi-determinate variety ideal for high-yield production. It produces uniform-sized fruits with good flavor, suitable for table and processing uses.
- Fruit Shape: Oval to round
- Color: Red
- Uses: Fresh consumption, cooking
- Regions: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
- Characteristics: High yield, good quality fruits
7. Abhinav (Hybrid)
Abhinav is a widely grown indeterminate hybrid variety preferred for its high yield and disease tolerance. It produces firm and uniform tomatoes with excellent shelf life.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Color: Deep red
- Uses: Fresh markets, export, processed foods
- Regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics: Uniform size, long shelf life, high yield
8. Swarna Lalima
Swarna Lalima is a high-yielding variety developed for its heat tolerance and adaptability to dry regions. It is popular in summer tomato cultivation.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Color: Bright red
- Uses: Cooking, fresh markets
- Regions: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
- Characteristics: Heat-tolerant, uniform yield, disease resistance
9. Arka Abha
Arka Abha is another popular variety developed by IIHR for its medium-sized, firm fruits. It is suitable for both table use and processing.
- Fruit Shape: Round to slightly flat
- Color: Deep red
- Uses: Fresh consumption, processing
- Regions: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
- Characteristics: Firm fruits, long shelf life, high market value
10. Kashi Vishesh
Kashi Vishesh is a determinate variety developed for tropical climates. It is known for its disease resistance, high productivity, and uniform fruit size.
- Fruit Shape: Round to slightly flat
- Color: Bright red
- Uses: Fresh markets, culinary use
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh
- Characteristics: Disease-resistant, high yield, early maturity
11. Punjab Chhuhara
Punjab Chhuhara is an improved variety, highly suitable for processing purposes like ketchup, paste, and sauces. It produces firm, elongated fruits.
- Fruit Shape: Oval or elongated
- Color: Deep red
- Uses: Processing (ketchup, paste), fresh markets
- Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics: Firm fruits, ideal for processing
12. Rupali (Hybrid)
Rupali is an indeterminate hybrid variety known for its disease tolerance and high yield. It produces firm, round fruits suitable for fresh markets and export.
- Fruit Shape: Round
- Color: Bright red
- Uses: Fresh consumption, export
- Regions: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics: High yield, disease resistance, excellent shelf life
In conclusion, India’s diverse climatic conditions and farming systems allow the cultivation of a wide range of tomato varieties. From open-pollinated options like Pusa Ruby to high-yielding hybrids like Arka Rakshak and Namdhari 2535, farmers have a variety of choices to suit their requirements. With the growing demand for fresh tomatoes, processed products, and exports, cultivating these top tomato varieties presents significant opportunities for profitability and sustainability in Indian agriculture.
FAQs
Q1: Which tomato variety is best for processing?
A: Punjab Chhuhara and Arka Abha are ideal for processing due to their firm texture and low moisture content.
Q2: Which tomato variety is most disease-resistant?
A: Arka Rakshak and Kashi Vishesh are highly disease-resistant, especially against bacterial wilt and leaf curl virus.
Q3: Which is the most popular hybrid tomato variety in India?
A: Namdhari 2535 and Arka Rakshak are popular hybrid varieties due to their high yield and quality fruits.
Q4: Which variety of tomato grows well in hot and dry regions?
A: Swarna Lalima is heat-tolerant and performs well in hot and dry regions.
Q5: What are determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties?
A: Determinate varieties grow in a bush-like pattern and fruit all at once, while indeterminate varieties grow as vines and produce fruits continuously.
