Effect of low plastic tunnels, transplanting dates and mulching on yield and quality of tomato
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Date
2018
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CCSHAU
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Effect of low plastic tunnel, transplanting dates and
mulching on yield and quality of tomato production”was conducted at Research Farm, Department of
Vegetable Science and Laboratory work was carried out at Department of Biochemistry, CCS Haryana
Agricultural University, Hisar during Rabi of 2014-15 and 2015-16. A field experimentcomprising of
two types of tunnels i.e. low tunnel and without tunnel, three dates of transplanting (30th November,
20th December, 10th January,) and three types of mulching materials (black polyethylene, white
polythene and control) were laid out in three factorial RBD design with three replications, thus making
a total of eighteen treatment combinations, from the various parameters. The results of the study clearly
indicated that the plant height and number of branches plant-1 were recorded significantly higher when
seedlings were transplanted on 20th December under plastic low tunnel with black polyethylene as
mulching material. The minimum number of days to 50% flowering and days to first harvesting were
observed in case where the crop transplanted on 10th January under low tunnel using black
polyethylene mulch. The maximum number of days taken to last harvesting was recorded when
seedlings were transplanted on 30th November under low tunnel with black polyethylene mulch.
Moreover, the number of flower per inflorescence, number of inflorescence plant-1, fruits plant-1, fruit
weight and early fruit yield q/ha and marketable fruit yield q/ha was recorded maximum under plastic
low tunnel when the crop was transplanted on 20th December with black polyethylene mulch while
minimum unmarketable yield was observed when seedlings were transplanted under plastic low tunnel
on 30th November using black polyethylene as mulch. When the crop was transplanted on 30th
November under plastic low tunnel with black polyethylene mulch recorded the minimum weed
intensity and dry weight at harvesting stage. In case of qualitative parameters, significantly higher
pericarp thickness, acidity, ascorbic acid content and total soluble solids were recorded in the treatment
where the seedlings were transplanted on 30th November under plastic low tunnel with black
polyethylene as mulch and it was observed that all the qualitative characteristics of the crop (pericarp
thickness, acidity, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids) were significantly decreased with delay in
planting while the maximum fruit firmness was recorded when tomato seedlings were transplanted on
20th December under low plastic tunnel using black polyethylene as mulching material.The economics
of various treatments with benefit to cost ratio and net return was also calculated and the maximum
benefit to cost ratio (2.17: 1) and net return (Rs. 278388/ ha) was obtained from tomato crop
transplanted 20th December under plastic low tunnel with black polyethylene mulch. From the study, it
is concluded that the tomato crop planted on 20th December under low tunnel using black polyethylene
as mulching material gave the best results.
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