Effect of different shading factors and irrigation regimes on growth and yield of tomato

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under different shadindg percentages and irrigation regimes through field experiment. The treatment consisted of four shading percentages i.e. 75%, 50%, 35% and 0% (open field) and four irrigation regimes 0.95 ETc, 0.75 ETc, 0.55ETc and 0.35 ETc. The experimental design was split plot with six replications. The biometric attribute plant height was measured at harvest condition and yield attribute viz., average weight of fruit, yield in kg per plant, kg per m2 and yield in t/ha. The results indicated that the interaction of both the factors in respect of plant height was significantly influenced. It was found that the interaction of 75 % shading x 0.95 ETc (S1 x I1) recorded the maximum (223.33 cm) plant height of tomato, which was at par with 75 % shading x 0.75 ETc (S1 x I2) interaction. Considering the results, the study revealed that, shading of 75 % (S1) resulted into maximum and significantly superior yield (186.32 t ha-1) of tomato under shadenet house over 50, 35 and 0 % shading. The irrigation level of 0.95 ETc (I1) resulted into maximum yield (118.88 t ha-1), which was at par with 0.75 ETc (102.75 t ha-1). The interaction effect of 75 % shading 0.95 ETc resulted into the maximum yield of 224.73 t ha-1 and which was at par with other interactions .The water use efficiency of tomato under the treatment of S1I1 (75% x 0.95 ETc) was 36.51 kg m-2 m-1.