The main objective of this work have been to compile and place at specialized reader´s reach, the acquired knowledged on tomato crop in the tropical area. It is addressed to Caribbean producers, proffesionals, technicians and students.

The paperwork gathered in a sythetic, pleasant and thoroughly scientific way, tomato´s main characteristics: climate exigencies, edaphological and nutritional features, phytosanitary aspects, as well as its possibilities for genetic and management improvement under Caribbean conditions.

Its main contribution is inserted in the scientifc and methodological field, in which it gives answers with solutions of interest and actuality, to the different issues. Tomato crop´s special aspects in tropical regions have not been enough treated in books, therefore this is the reason why it constitutes the first one in Cuba and at regional scale addressing such important aspects on improvement and management of tomato crop.

The research work which it is based on, have been mainly developed by professionals from "Liliana Dimitrova" Institute of Horticultural Research , other research institutions from the Ministry of Agriculturre of (MINAGRI), Station d'Amélioration des Plantes MaraÑ®chéres del INRA-Avignon y la Unité de Recherche en Productions Végétales del Institut National de la Recherche de Guadalupe, A.F.

The twelve chaptered paperwork has two parts: Genetic Improvement and Crop Management. Tomato represents between the 45 and 50% of surface and vegetables production, both in Cuba and the Caribbean.

It is supported by the institution´s Scientific Council, its Trade Office, the Viceminister for Development of the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), Citrus and Fruits Institute, la ”Marta Abreu” Central University of Las Villas, the Experimental Station of Mayorca, Spain; and the ESASEM Italian Company.