Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. –Tomato Syn. Solanum lycopersicum L.
Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Lycopersicon Species: L. esculentum Lycopersicon is a small genus with 6 species of soft herbs. L.esculentum is one of the most important vegetables in the world. It is grown in an extent of 6675ha in Sri Lanka with an annual production of 65,1157mt (2007). Morphological Characters Stem: L. esculentum is an annual herb of 0.7-2m in height the plant is erect or spreading, but later becoming prostrate. The plant is covered with glandular and non-glandular hairs, which have a characteristic odor. The branches are usually sympodial, although the base of the stem is monopodial. The terminal bud of the monopodial stem, the terminal bud aborts or produces an inflorescence. Then the development of the axis is continued by the development of the axillary bud. Se