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Science:
Explore gravitropism with your students by growing tomatoes out of both the top and the bottom of a hanging basket. The shoots will grow up away from the earth's surface from both ends of the basket - this means double the tomatoes from one pot!
Food Technology:
Use fresh tomatoes to make tomato sauce, green tomato chutney, sun dried tomatoes or tomato, basil and bocconcini salad.
Science:
Tomatoes ripen in the presence of the hormone ethylene. With your class investigate how tomatoes ripen following the activity instructions found at www.landlearn.net.au/curriculum > Food & Food Production > Red or Green Tomatoes.
Science and Agriculture:
A lot of the fresh tomatoes we buy are grown using hydroponic systems. Experiment by growing tomatoes hydroponically and in soil. Measure the water and nutrients used on both methods, the time from planting to ripe fruit. Judge the tomatoes on size and appearance and apply the taste test.
Did you know:
- Tomatoes originated from South America and belong to the nightshade family; they are cousins to the potato.
- Tomatoes are a fruit not a vegetable (because they contain seeds).
- The record for the heaviest tomato is 3.51 kg.
- There are over 10,000 varieties of tomatoes!
- Tomatoes gain weight as they ripen, even after they are picked.
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Name: Chris
Title/role: Agronomist — Landmark
Describe your typical day
The good thing about my job is that every day is different, as I am dealing with different farmers, looking at different crops and pastures.
What attracted you to this profession?
Firstly by working on farms through high school, and then doing work experience with senior agronomists during my university studies at La Trobe Bundoora (Bachelor of Agricultural Science). I started with Landmark after applying for the graduate agronomist program. I received training while working under a senior agronomist as well as attending training courses, meetings and conferences. My university lecturer was a big influence on my career direction. He introduced me to key people in the industry.
What keeps you motivated?
The main things that keep me motivated are the relationships that I have formed with the farmers that I work with. The most interesting part of my job is being involved with the Landmark agronomic trials from sowing to harvesting, and running growers' tours.
How does your work make a difference?
My job is to assist farmers to make sure that their practices are sustainable and will maximise their returns from broad acre farming, resulting in increased food production.
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