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Performance of Tomato Varieties in Different Light Levels

T. Ahamed
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur- 1706, Bangladesh

M.G. Miah
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur- 1706, Bangladesh

S.R. Saha
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur- 1706, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study with four tomato varieties under different light levels was accomplished at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University research farm during October 2010 to April 2011. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Four light levels i.e. 100, 75, 50 and 25% Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) were assigned in the main plot, while four tomato varieties namely Ratan, Apurba, BARI tomato 3 and Shila were assigned in the sub-plot. Desired light levels were maintained by using nylon nets of different pore size. Plant height of tomato varieties increased gradually with the increase of shade levels and significantly the tallest plant was found under 25% PAR level. Among the varieties, Apurba produced the tallest plant irrespective of light levels. Fruits per plant decreased after 75 to 25% PAR levels and the highest and the lowest fruit number were recorded in Ratan (32.28) and Apurba (24.58), respectively. Both days to first edible harvest and harvesting duration increased with the increase of shade levels. Individual fruit weight decreased after 75% PAR level to 25% PAR level. Irrespective of varieties, the yields obtained under 100, 75 and 50% PAR levels were not differed significantly except Ratan under 100% PAR level while the yields obtained under 75 and 50% PAR levels were very close. Ratan and Apurba yielded the highest under 50% PAR level; and BARI tomato 3 and Shila yielded the highest under 75% PAR level. Partial shade (75% PAR) and moderate shade (50% PAR) gave 16 and 21% yield advantage over full sunlight. Regardless of tomato varieties, fresh yield of tomato was the lowest under 25% PAR level. Among the varieties, in terms of yield and other parameters the degree of shade tolerance may be ranked as BARI tomato 3> Ratan> Shila> Apurba. Therefore, tomato irrespective of varieties can be grown successfully where 50 to 75% incident lights would be available.

Keywords: PAR, Tomato variety, Tomato growth and yield

Location: Farm of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University

Start Date: 00-10-2010

End Date: 00-04-2011

Program Area: Variety and Species

Non-commodity: Tomato

Objectives:

1. To screen out the different tomato varieties under different light levels in artificial shade condition before advocating the farmers to grow tomato varieties under different trees at farm level.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University during October 2010 to April 2011 in an upland condition. Four varieties of tomato namely Ratan (BARI tomato 2), BARI tomato 3, Apurba (BARI tomato 7), and Shila (BARI tomato 8) were used in the experiment. Thirty days old healthy seedlings were transplanted at 60 cm X 50 cm spacing on November 25, 2010. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Four light treatments viz. 100, 75, 50 and 25% of the available PAR were assigned in main plots and four varieties were arranged in subplots. The PAR was measured using Sunflect Ceptometer. The 100% PAR was the total PAR in open field, i.e., full sunlight condition. The reduced light levels were created using nylon nets with different pore sizes and placed 1.5 m above the ground level. These light levels were maintained throughout the growing season. The unit plot size was 2.5 m. x 3.0 m. Adjacent blocks and neighboring plots were separated by 2.5 m. and 0.5 m., respectively. The experimental plots were fertilized @ 148, 50 and 100 kg N, P and K per hectare, respectively from Urea, TSP and MP along with 10 ton farmyard manure per hectare. All farmyard manure, TSP and one third of Urea and MP were applied during the final land preparation and the rest of the Urea and MP were applied in two equal installments at 20 and 40 days after transplanting. All intercultural operations and management practices were done throughout the growing season. Tomato fruits were harvested in several pickings when the fruits reached to breakers stage. The harvesting started at 126 DAP and ended at 168 DAP. Five plants of tomato from each plot were selected for data collection. The plant height was determined from the sample plants at the final harvest. Number of fruits per plant and fruit weight (g) was measured when fruits were attained to edible size. Days to first edible fruit harvest were noted at the time of first edible fruit harvest. Harvesting duration was determined by counting the days from first harvest to last harvest. Fresh yield of tomato was determined by cumulating the weight of each fruit from each harvest and then converted to t/ha. The data on various morphological, yield and yield contributing characters were statistically analyzed by ‘IRRISTAT’ software to examine the significant variation of the results due to different treatments. The treatment means were compared by DMRT at 5% level of significance.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 8 (2): 59-62, 2014; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Irrespective of varieties, the plant height, days to first edible fruit harvest and the duration of harvesting period increased gradually with the reduction of light levels down to 25% PAR. Plants grown at reduced light levels (75% and 50% PAR) produced higher number of fruits per plant as compared to those grown in full sunlight and 25% PAR levels. Similarly, the yield of fresh marketable tomato was rather increased by 16 and 21 percent when grown at 75% and 50% PAR, respectively over those grown in full sunlight. The findings of the study indicated that tomato may be a good understorey crop species for light limiting agroforestry production systems.

Knowledge Management: Journal