Performance Evaluation of Different Tomato Lines Grown Organically in Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is considered an important crop, but local producers face difficulties in choosing the appropriate variety due to its diversity and ecological adaptability. In an effort to provide an alternative option of varieties and selection of suitable varieties, this research was conducted to evaluate the comparative performance of sixteen tomato varieties (11 AVRDC lines, five check varieties) at Tangaro, Catarman, Camiguin from January to April 2014 using randomized complete block design with three replications under field conditions. It was found out that plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, plant vigor, percent survival, fruit yield, number of fruits, fruit weight, marketable yield, and resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) showed significant differences among the various tomato varieties under trial except for the fruit size. Maximum plant height (65.30 cm) at 60DAT was recorded in T11 (AVTO 1002) followed by T8 (AVTO 1130). Most check varieties produced first flowers earlier compared to AVRDC lines, with T15 (CV4 M) at 20.67 days and consequently mature early by having its first harvest (56DAT) at least two days earlier except for T1 (AVTO 1009), T2 (AVTO 1003) and T3 (AVTO 9803). T12 (CV1 TD) exhibited a vigorous plant stand compared to AVRDC lines T2 (AVTO 1003) and T8 (AVTO 1130), which showed a weak stand at the first harvest. Checked varieties T12 (CV1 TD) has the highest percentage of survival, while T7 (AVTO 0101) and T10 (AVTO 9001) showed a percent plant survival statistically comparable to other check varieties. T14 (CV3 MF1) produced the most number of fruits, while T5 (AVTO 1004) produced the least. The highest computed yield per hectare was observed from T14 (CV3 MF1), while the lowest yield was computed from AVRDC line T9 (AVTO 1008). AVRDC lines T1 (AVTO 1009), T2 (AVTO 1003), and T3 (AVTO 9803) are most susceptible to TYLCV, while checked varieties were more resistant. Considering the overall performance, it was found out that the checked varieties performed well. AVRDC lines T10 (AVTO 9001) and T4 (AVTO 1173) were also promising for their growth and yield performance and resistance to TYLCV. However, the potential of these varieties is needed to be further tested for verification under different growing seasons to elicit substantial conclusions.