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Debranching Improves Morpho-physiological Characters, Fruit Quality and Yield of Tomato

M. Monjurul Alam Mondal
Chief Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Institute eshof Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

A. H. M. Razzaque
Chief Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Institute eshof Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Farmers are commercially cultivated tomato with different levels of shoot pruning but this production practice has not been defined clearly. The experiment was conducted under sub-tropical condition to assess the effect of different levels of debranching on morpho-physiological, reproductive and yield contributing characters in determinate tomato cultivar cv. Binatomato-5. The debranching levels were: i) control, ii) only mainstem (MS), iii) MS with 2 branches, iv) MS with 3 branches and v) MS with 4 branches. Based on recommended spacing (50 cm × 50 cm), the higher fruit yield plant^-1 as well as fruit yield per hectare were observed in more branch bearing plants of the treatment control (MS with 5-6 branches), MS with 3 branches and MS with 4 branches due to production of higher number of fruits plant^-1 with being the highest in MS with 3 branches due to increase fruit size. The lowest fruit yield per plant as well as per hectare was observed in uniculm plants due to lower number of fruits per plant. This study suggests that plants that have MS with three branches may be recommended for commercial cultivation of tomato under sub-tropical condition.

Keywords: Branch removal, Physiological and reproductive characters; Fruit yield; Lycopersicon esculentum

Location: BINA Field Laboratory, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date: 08-11-2011

End Date: 31-03-2013

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Tomato

Objectives:

to study the effects of different levels of debranching on growth and yield of widely cultivated tomato variety (Binatomato-5) in Bangladesh, thereby to assess the plant architecture which plant canopy is suitable for increase yield and to assist in the development of practices under Sub-tropical condition.

Methodology:

The two experiments were carried out under sub-tropical condition (24⁰75´ N and 90⁰50´ E), Bangladesh during the three successive seasons (November-March) of 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experiment comprised of one factor randomized complete block design with three replications. The widely cultivated variety, Binatomato-5 was used as plant material. The debranching levels were: i) control, ii) only mainstem (MS), iii) MS with 2 branches, iv) MS with 3 branches and v) MS with 4 branches. Control plants had 5-6 branches plant^-1. The treatments were maintained until harvest by frequently removing the new born shoots when necessary. The unit plot size was 4 m × 3 m. For the first experiment, seeds were sown in seedbed on 29 October 2011 and 27-day old seedlings were transplanted in the experimental field with recommended spacing of 50 cm × 50 cm. In the second experiment, seeds were sown in seedbed on 26 October 2012 and 25-day old seedlings were transplanted in the experimental field with same spacing. Urea, triple super phosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MP), gypsum and cowdung were applied at the rate of 280, 250, 180, 80 and 10000 kg ha^-1, respectively (BARC, 2005). The morpho-physiological parameters such as number of leaves plant^-1, leaf area plant^-1, straw weight and leaf area index, reproductive characters such as number of effective and non-effective flower cluster plant^-1, number of flowers plant^-1 and number of flowers cluster^-1 were recorded at first harvest of tomato in 2011-12. All biochemical parameters were recorded at 50-60 DAT, the fruiting stage. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was determined by following the method of Stewart and Orebamjo (1979). Total sugar and chlorophyll content in leaves were determined at 55 DAT following the method of Yoshida et al. (1976). Photosynthesis was measured at flowering and fruit development stage using portable photosynthesis meter (LI- 6400XT, USA). Vitamin C content was estimated by titration using iodate solution (Aminuddin et al., 2003). It has been considered fruit ripening when the fruit was firm and red in color. Total soluble solid was measured using a portable refractometer (Model: 2WAJ-China). At harvest, ten plants from each plot were selected randomly for data recording on reproductive, yield and yield related traits. The collected data were analyzed statistically following the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique and the mean differences among treatments were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) using the statistical computer package program, MSTAT-C (Russell, 1986).

Source of Information: Pakistan Journal of Botany, 48 (6): 2249-2253

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: Tk. 24,000.00

Total Budget (Tk.) : Tk. 24,000.00

Achievement/Findings:

Debranching of tomato could be practiced to increase the fruit quality and yield of tomato. MS with 3 branches might be the best treatment for increased fruit yield under recommended plant spacing (50 cm × 50 cm) for determinate cultivars of tomato in the sub-tropical area.

Knowledge Management: Journal