A Series of Lectures By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK , Provincial Project Director CMP II MINFAl Islamabad and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan

4. Tomato is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. It is
an important source of vitamins and an important cash crop for
smallholders and medium-scale commercial farmers.

5. The botanical name for the tomato plant is Lycopersicon
esculentum. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, also known as
the nightshade family, which includes potatoes, peppers, paprika,
petunias, tobacco, and the poisonous belladonna and jimson weed

6. Common names for the tomato are: tomate (Spain, France), tomat
(Indonesia), faan ke’e (China), tomati (West Africa), tomatl (Nahuatl),
jitomate (Mexico), pomodoro (Italy), nyanya (Swahili).

7. • Tomato is originated in Peru of South America and name of crop came from
the Aztec word “Tomato”. The crop is of recent origin and first report of
tomato was from Italy in 1544. Later spread was fast and the crop is grown
throughout the length and breadth of world.

8. Although tomatoes are closely associated with Italian cuisine, they
are actually originally native to the western side of South America.
Tomatoes have been grown in Mexico for more than 2,000 years.
The Spanish conquistadors who came to Mexico shortly after
Columbus's discovery of the New World "discovered" tomatoes and
brought the seeds back to Spain, beginning the introduction of the
tomato into Europe.

9. The tomato was eaten by the Aztecs as early as 700 AD and called
the “tomatl,” (its name in Nahuatl), and wasn’t grown in Britain until
the 1590s. In the early 16th century, Spanish conquistadors returning
from expeditions in Mexico and other parts of Mesoamerica were
thought to have first introduced the seeds to southern Europe. Some
researchers credit Cortez with bringing the seeds to Europe in 1519
for ornamental purposes. Up until the late 1800s in cooler climates,
tomatoes were solely grown for ornamental purposes in gardens
rather than for eating

10. After traveling for more than a thousand years, the tomato has now
reached six continents and has become the most important
processed vegetable in America. The average American consumes
more than 23 pounds of processed tomatoes each year. Vine-
ripened and processed tomatoes are among the vegetables highest
in potassium, vitamins A and C, fiber, lycopene and even protein.
After the potato, tomatoes contribute the greatest amount of nutrients
to the American diet.

11. The British thought the tomato was poisonous, but the French called
it the “apple of love.” Tomatoes are full of healthy nutrients that help
your heart stay strong and can help improve your memory.

12. 1. The confusion about 'fruit' and 'vegetable' arises because of the
differences in usage between scientists and cooks. Scientifically
speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit. True fruits are developed
from the ovary in the base of the flower, and contain the seeds of
the plant (though cultivatedforms may be seedless). Blueberries,
raspberries, and oranges are true fruits, and so are many kinds of
nut. Some plants have a soft part which supports the seeds and is
also called a 'fruit',
2. The term 'vegetable' is more generally used of other edible parts of
plants, such as cabbage leaves, celery stalks, and potato tubers,
which are not strictly the fruit of the plant from which they come.
3. So, the answer to the question is that a tomato is technically the
fruit of the tomato plant, but it's used as a vegetable in cooking.

13. • Tomatoes contribute to a healthy, well-balanced diet. They are rich in
minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, sugars and dietary fibres.
Tomato contains much vitamin B and C, iron and phosphorus.
Tomato fruits are consumed fresh in salads or cooked in sauces,
soup and meat or fish dishes. They can be processed into purées,
juices and ketchup. Canned and dried tomatoes are economically
important processed products.

14. 1. relatively short duration vegetable crop
2. short or long production period
3. can be grown as an uncovered field crop and in
protected cultivation
4. fits easily into different cropping systems
5. has high economic value
6. has high micronutrient content
7. can be processed, dried and canned

15. 1. The question of whether a
tomato is a fruit or a vegetable
actually made it all the way to
the United States Supreme
Court! In the 1893 case of Nix
v. Hedden, the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled that, for purposes
of the Tariff Act of March 3,
1883, tomatoes are vegetables.
2. The Supreme Court relied on
the fact that tomatoes are
usually used as vegetables
since they’re normally served
with dinner and not dessert.

16. 1. At first it was thought to be poisonous
and was grown as a decorative garden
shrub. Although a member of the
nightshade family, with strongly
aromatic leaves and stems that are
toxic, the fruit proved to be completely
harmless.
2. Likely this newcomer to Europe was
yellow, since the Italians called
it pomodoro(golden apple). The English
called it tomate and later tomato, but
the term “love apple” also became
fashionable. From Europe the tomato
made the long journey back across the
Atlantic to North America, where
eventually, during the 19th century, it
became an important food.

17. 1) Vitamin A : 1,000 I.U.
2) Vitamin B : Thiamine .06
mg.;
3) Vitamin C : 23 mg.
4) Vitamin K : amount
uncertain
5) Calcium : 11 mg.
6) Iron : .6 mg.
7) Phosphorus : 27 mg.
8) Potassium : 360 mg.
9) Protein : 1.0 gm.
10) Calories : 20

18. 1. Tomatoes help lower
cholesterol
Since a tomato has 0 grams of
cholesterol, it doesn’t add
cholesterol to the diet. Plus, a
cup of fresh tomato provides
9% of the DV for fiber, which
has been shown to lower high
cholesterol levels.

19. • Tomatoes are a very good
source of potassium. Diets rich in
potassium have been shown to
lower high blood pressure and
reduce the risk of heart disease.
Vitamin B6 and folate, each
present in tomatoes in good
amounts, are both needed by the
body to convert a potentially
dangerous chemical called
homocysteine into other, benign
molecules. High levels of
homocysteine can directly
damage blood vessel walls and
are associated with an increased
risk of heart attack and stroke.

20. • In order to lower blood
pressure you have to get lower
sodium amount. High sodium
consumption will increase
blood pressure. Instead, high
potassium consumption will
help you decrease risk of
drying due to blood pressure
about 20 %.

21. Tomatoes are an outstanding
source of the antioxidant
lycopene. Antioxidants travel
through the body, neutralizing
dangerous free radicals that
could otherwise damage cells
and cell membranes. Free
radicals escalate the
progression or severity of
atherosclerosis, diabetic
complications, asthma, and
colon cancer. High intakes of
lycopene have been shown to
help reduce the risk or severity
of all of these illnesses.

22. Studies show that eating
tomatoes reduce the risk of
many cancers, and prostate
cancer in particular

23. Zea-xanthin is another
flavonoid compound present
abundantly in this vegetable.
Zea-xanthin helps protect eyes
from "age-related macular
related macular disease"
(ARMD) in the elderly persons
by filtering harmful ultra-violet
rays.

24. Tomatoes are a good
source of chromium,
which has been shown to
help diabetic patients
keep their blood sugar
levels under control

25. Acidosis, according to the
medical community, is a
common cause of calcium loss,
fatigue, headaches,
sleeplessness, muscle aches,
acne, eczema, arteriosclerosis,
sexual dysfunction, hormone
imbalance, depression, and
many degenerative conditions.

26. Tomatoes are a good source of
riboflavin, which has been
shown to be helpful for
reducing the frequency of
migraine attacks.

27. Tomatoes have been credited
by experts with helping to avoid
flu and colds, especially for
males. According to the
medical community, these
common illnesses are widely
believed to be rooted in
carotenoid deficiencies,
including low amounts of
lycopene and beta carotene in
a patient’s system. Drinking
tomato juices assists in building
defenses against colds and flu.

28. Researchers at the University
of Dusseldorf (Germany)
observed subjects who
consumed tomato paste for a
minimum of 10 weeks.
Absorption of UV rays was 40%
lower than subjects in the
control group, showing
lycopene in tomatoes works as
a natural sunscreen and
provide protection against UV
rays

29. The vitamin K and calcium in
tomatoes are both very good
for strengthening and repairing
bones. Vitamin K in tomatoes
helps osteocalcin does its work
to harden calcium and make
bones strong. To fight
osteoporosis (a common
disease due to low bone mass)
Lycopene in tomatoes helps a
great way. Osteoporosis that
results in a significantly
increased risk of bone fracture
and disability in older people
can be preventing by
consuming high amount of
tomatoes.

30. Vitamin A is essential to
maintaining the health of the
retina. Its deficiency contributes
to the development of night
blindness. A one cup serving of
fresh tomatoes provides 30%
DV of vitamin A, a high
concentration which prevents
necessary shortage and
promotes eye health

31. A single tomato can provide
about 40% of the daily vitamin C
requirement. Vitamin C is a
natural antioxidant which
prevents against cancer-causing
free radicals from damaging the
body’s systems. It also contains
abundant vitamin A and
potassium, as well as iron.
Potassium plays a vital role in
maintaining nerve health and
iron is essential for maintaining
normal blood health. Vitamin K,
which is essential in blood
clotting and controls bleeding, is
also abundant in tomatoe

32. The two main components of
tomatoes, coumaric acid and
chlorogenic acid, fight against
nitrosamines which are
produced in the body and are
the main carcinogens found in
cigarettes. The presence of
vitamin A in such high
quantities has also been shown
to reduce the effects of
carcinogens and can protect
you against lung cancer

33. Tomatoes can help you fight
risk of constipation. Fiber and
water in tomatoes will improve
your digestive system and can
combat diarrhea very well.
Additionally, tomatoes can
support your body to remove
toxins and adjust bowel
movements in your body. You
can add tomatoes in salad,
sandwiches, and other recipes
to get the best results.

34. Tomatoes are packed full of
the valuable mineral known as
chromium. It works effectively
to help diabetics keep their
blood sugar levels under better
control. Daily consumption of
tomatoes reduces the oxidative
stress in type 2 diabetes.

35. Tomatoes aid in maintaining
healthy teeth, bones, hair and
skin. Topical application of
tomato juice is even known to
cure severe sunburns. Daily
consumption of tomatoes
protects the skin against UV-
induced erythema. Tomatoes
rank high in the preparation of
anti-aging products.

36. Tomato intake also reduces
the incidence ofurinary tract
infections, as well as bladder
cancer. This is because
tomatoes are high in water
content, which can stimulate
urination, so tomatoes are a
diuretic in certain ways. This
increases the elimination of
toxins from the body, as well as
excess water, salts, uric acid,
and some fat as well

37. Lycopene is considered
somewhat of a natural miracle
anti-oxidant that may help to
stop the growth of cancer cells.
lycopene in tomatoes, helps to
lessen the chances of prostate
cancer, stomach cancer and
colorectal cancer. Vitamin C in
tomatoes is a natural
antioxidant which acts against
cancer-causing free radicals

38. Do you believe that stress
reduction is one of the best
benefits of tomatoes? That is
true. Tomatoes contain folic
acid that can prevent the
homocyteine production and
protect your brain, as well as
prevent blood. Tomatoes are
high in antioxidants and can
combat several cancer forms.

39. If you are wondering benefits of
tomatoes, you should read this
information. Drinking 8 ounces
of tomato juice will lower
platelet aggregation. To prevent
thrombosis, you should intake
low sodium tomato juice.

40. If you really want to avoid
inflammation, keep drinking a
glass of tomato juice per day.
Tomatoes not only help you
prevent other harmful diseases
such as cancer, heart diseases,
digestion problems, but they
also help you fight inflammation
in your body due to different
dangerous conditions.

41. • Vitamin A and lycopene in
tomatoes can reduce
the asthma symptoms. If you
are getting asthma condition,
you should add tomatoes in
your daily meals immediately.
Tomato recipes are also very
healthy and delicious.

42. Tomatoes will even make your
hair look better.The vitamin A
found in tomatoes works to
make hair strong and shiny.
(Sorry, tomatoes cannot help
much with thinning hair—but
they will make the hair you
have look better!)

43. 1. Tomatoes can reduce chronic
pain. If you are one of the
millions of people who deal
with mild to moderate chronic
pain (such as from arthritis or
back pain), tomatoes may be a
pain-buster. Tomatoes are high
in bioflavonoids and
carotenoids, which are known
anti-inflammatory agents.
2. Chronic pain often involves
chronic inflammation, so
attacking the inflammation is a
good way to fight the chronic
pain. (Many commercial drugs
that fight pain are actually anti-
inflammatory drugs.)

44. Tomatoes can help you lose
weight. If you are on a sensible
diet and exercise plan, build
lots of tomatoes into your
everyday eating. They make a
great snack and can be used to
“bulk up” salads, casseroles,
sandwiches and other meals.
Because tomatoes contain lots
of water and fiber, they are
what Weight Watchers calls a
“filling food,” one of those
foods that fills you up fast
without adding a lot of calories
or fat.

45. Beta-carotene consumption
has been shown to have
aninverse association with
the development of colon
cancer in the Japanese
population. High fiber intakes
from fruits and vegetables are
associated with a lowered risk
of colorectal cancer.

46. • Pregnancy: Adequate foli
c acid intake is essential
for pregnant women to
protect against neural
tube defects in infants.

47. Tomatoes can enhance the flavor of
almost any cooked dish. Whole
tomatoes, chopped tomatoes and
tomato sauce freeze well for future
use in cooked dishes. Cooking
tomatoes — such as in spaghetti
sauce — makes the fruit heart-
healthier and boosts its cancer-
fighting ability.

48. Recent evidence shows that
just two ounces of tomato
paste or a pint of juice a day
could be enough to help
many patients avoid
dangerous statins, the class
of drugs commonly
prescribed for these
conditions, which can lead
to heart problems.

49. They work as a disinfectant to
protect the body from diarrhea
and prevents the appearance
of kidney stones and gall
bladder stones in the long term.
They also dramatically reduce
the incidence of lower urinary
tract symptoms.

50. Breast cancer can also be
reduced with tomatoes.
Exciting research in the Journal
of the National Cancer
Institute shows that higher
amounts of carotenoids
including alpha-carotene, beta-
carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin,
lycopene, and total carotenoids
may have a reduced risk of
breast cancer.

51. New research in the
journal Harvard Health
Letter found that diets rich in
tomatoes can help prevent
stroke. The scientists chalk up
the results to tomatoes’ rich
lycopene content.

52. Tomato juice helps to reduce
the risk of blood clots. The
excessive clumping together of
platelet cells can cause
problems for our bloodstream
in terms of blockage and
unwanted clotting, and
prevention of this excessive
clumping is important for
maintaining heart health.
Numerous phytonutrients in
tomatoes have been shown to
help prevent excessive
clumping of our platelet cells.