How to Grow Pusa 1103 Tomato
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Pusa 1103 Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pusa 1103'
vegetablePusa 1103 is a hybrid indeterminate tomato variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), known for its high yield and disease resistance. It produces medium-sized, round red fruits with good flavor and shelf life, making it popular in Indian and South Asian markets. This variety is specifically bred to perform well in warm, humid climates with resistance to multiple tomato diseases.
When should you plant Pusa 1103 Tomato in your zone?
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Example Pusa 1103 Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pusa 1103 Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Pusa 1103 Tomato
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pusa 1103 Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best suited for warm tropical and subtropical regions (zones 9b-11); can be grown in cooler zones as a summer annual in containers
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Seedling
4-5 weeksSmall seedlings with cotyledons and first true leaves emerging
Maintain warm conditions (70-80°F), keep soil moist but not waterlogged, provide bright light to prevent leggy growth, transplant when 2-3 true leaves appear
Vegetative
3-4 weeksRobust growth with multiple leaflets, plant reaches 12-18 inches, establishing strong stem and root system
Support with stakes or cages early, begin light fertilization, remove lower leaves if crowded, ensure good air circulation, harden off before field planting
Flowering
3-4 weeksYellow flowers appear in clusters (inflorescences), plant continues to grow vertically
Maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot, apply balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer, prune excessive vegetative growth to direct energy to flowers, monitor for pest activity
Fruiting
4-5 weeksGreen fruits develop from flowers and gradually enlarge, plant becomes heavy and bushy
Continue regular watering and fertilization, provide sturdy support structure, prune upper suckers to improve air flow and ripening, apply fungicides if disease pressure increases, thin fruits if needed for larger size
Harvest & Maturity
8-10+ weeks (until frost or seasonal end)Fruits ripen to full red color, maintain production through season; indeterminate variety continues flowering and fruiting
Harvest ripe fruits regularly to encourage continued production, maintain disease management, reduce nitrogen fertilizer, increase potassium for extended season production
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use yellow sticky traps, netting around ripening fruit, spinosad-based organic sprays, proper sanitation of fallen fruit
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Yellow sticky traps, neem oil spray, encouraged air circulation, reflective mulch, predatory insects like parasitic wasps
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Control whitefly population, remove infected plants, avoid stress irrigation, use disease-resistant varieties
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Improve air circulation, remove infected lower leaves, mulch to prevent soil splash, copper or sulfur fungicides, avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected foliage promptly, copper-based fungicides, ensure good drainage, increase spacing for air flow, avoid wet conditions
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Hand-pick larvae, encourage natural parasites (parasitic wasps), Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, monitoring for egg clusters
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryPusa 1103 fruits have good flavor balance and firm flesh, making them excellent for fresh consumption, slicing, and use in salads. The medium size and appearance make them popular in South Asian markets and home kitchens. [source]
Cooking and sauce production
CulinaryThe acidity and solid content of Pusa 1103 make it suitable for curries, sauces, ketchup, and paste production. Its disease resistance ensures consistent fruit quality for commercial or home processing. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalTomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamins A and C, and potassium, supporting heart health and immune function. Regular consumption of tomato-based foods has been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases. [source]
Adapted for tropical agriculture
HouseholdPusa 1103 was specifically developed for high-temperature and high-humidity environments, making it ideal for year-round cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions. Its disease resistance reduces chemical input requirements. [source]
Seed saving and breeding
CraftAs a well-established hybrid variety from IARI, Pusa 1103 seeds are commercially available and represent a significant achievement in Indian agricultural research. Gardeners and farmers can save and share seeds with compatible breeding practices. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest fruits when fully red and slightly soft to touch. Gently twist and lift fruit, or use pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Pick fruits every 2-3 days during peak season to encourage continued flowering and fruiting. Pusa 1103 has good shelf life; fruits can be picked at breaker stage (first pink blush) and ripened indoors if needed. Continue harvesting until frost or disease becomes unmanageable.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pusa 1103 was developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi and is one of several 'Pusa' varieties that have become staples in Indian and South Asian agriculture, with 'Pusa' meaning 'new' in Hindi.
- 🌱 This variety is particularly valued for its resistance to multiple diseases common in humid tropical climates, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and making it more sustainable for smallholder farmers.
- 🌱 The 'Pusa' series of vegetables has won recognition in international agricultural development circles for improving food security and farmer livelihoods across South and Southeast Asia.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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