STANDARDISATION OF AGRO-TECHNIQUES FOR TOMATO PRODUCTION UNDER PROTECTED CONDITIONS
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Date
2009
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most popular solanaceous vegetable crop grown
worldwide. The present investigation entitled “Standardisation of agro-techniques for tomato production
under protected conditions” was carried out with 15 hybrids to identify the superior planting material and
standardise ecofriendly growing media with optimum fertigation level in the naturally ventilated
greenhouses. Analysis of variance showed highly significant variation among hybrids for all the traits
studied. US-285 was earliest to reach the first flowering (29.33 days) and marketable maturity (83.67 days).
The hybrid Amisha recorded maximum values for number of flower clusters per plant (13.17), number of
flowers per cluster (6.59), number of fruits per cluster (5.69), number of fruits per plant (57.00) and
lycopene content (3.17). Naveen 2K+ recorded maximum fruit weight (74.17g), fruit yield per plant (3.81
kg), 15.24 kg/m2, 127.00 t/ha, harvest duration (54.67 days) and total soluble solids (4.93 0B). Rakshak
recorded maximum fruit set (90.26 %), pericarp thickness (6.71mm) and shelf life (15.33 days). Maximum
titrable acidity was recorded in Sartaj (0.82%) and highest ascorbic acid recorded in SH-7711 (24.39
mg/100g). For standardising ecofriendly growing media with optimum fertigation level, the combination of
soil less M3 (Vermicompost:sand; 2:1) level of growing media alongwith Azotobacter and F3 (300:300:300
kg NPK/ha) level of fertigation (M3B1F3) had significant positive effect on number of flower clusters per
plant, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, average fruit
weight (g), fruit yield, harvest duration, total soluble solids, pericarp thickness, lycopene content, available
NK after harvest and higher cost:benefit ratio. On the basis of present findings the hybrids Naveen 2K+,
Amisha and Rakshak can be recommended for tomato production under protected conditions in mid hill
region of Himachal Pradesh in a soil less growing media composed of vermicompost and sand (2:1)
alongwith seedling treatment of Azotobacter with a fertigation level of 300kg NPK/ha twice a week.
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Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L