Effect of integrated management practices on yield and time of harvest in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of integrated management practices on yield and harvesting span of tomato. The experiment consisted of five cultural treatments and four varieties, planted in a split plot design. Number of primary branches, fruit trusses, fruits, fruit weight, marketable yield and Incidence of fruit borer were the highest in November transplanted crop, allowed to grow as such, and were lowest in March transplanting. Topping in both November and February transplanting reduced fruit yield, characters contributing to yield and incidence of fruit borer. Hybrid TH2312 out performed other varieties for most of the characters. Harvesting span of November transplanted-topped crop was the longest and that of March transplanting the shortest. The effect of topping in delaying the harvesting span was more conspicuous in November transplanted crop compared with February transplanting. This effect also varied with the varieties/dates of transplanting, being well marked in TH2312 and CR-2-P8-5-1 in November transplanting and only in Nagcarlan in February transplanting. The incidence of blotchy ripening and sunscalding was highest in March transplanting and the lowest in November transplanting, whereas the reverse was true in case of incidence of fruit borer. Topping increased incidence of blotchy ripening, sun-scalding and decreased the incidence of fruit borer infestation in both November and February transplanting.