Average Fruit Yield Research Articles

Performance of tomato (solanum Lycopersicum L.) genotypes under naturally ventilated polyhouse in kumaon hills of Uttarakhand (India)

This study was aimed to assess the performance of various tomato genotypes under ventilated poly-house conditions. The study was conducted in Kumaun hills of Uttarakhand (India) during summer 2017. The study revealed the presence of high genotypic and high heritability for most economic traits viz., number of fruits plant−1, yield plant−1, ascorbic acid content and total antioxidant activities. The variety ‘VL-4’ proved superior over other varieties with respect to fruit length (5.43 cm), fruit width (5.27 cm), number of fruits plant−1 (51.67), average fruit weight (85.34 g) and fruit yield plant−1 (4.42 kg). Highest luminous (L*= 49.96), TSS (6.03oB), reducing sugar (1.99%) and total sugar (3.39%) were estimated in genotype ‘H-86’; whereas highest red colour (a*= 42.43) and total antioxidant activity (28.06 mMTE L−1) were found in hybrid ‘Dev’ and maximum yellow colour (b*= 48.8) in hybrid ‘Badshah’. The chroma (C*= 57.16), ascorbic acid (40.22 mg 100 g−1), non-reducing sugar (1.62%) and lowest hue angle (ho=38.83) were found maximum in hybrid ‘Shahanshah’. The maximum heritability (broad sense) estimates were noted for total sugar (100%) and non-reducing sugar (100%). The study depicted the scope of further improvement of these traits through selection procedure and these genotypes could be considered for further heterosis breeding programme for future improvement.

Ecologization of cultivar adopted technologies for scab protection and nutrition program of an apple tree in orchard and nursery

Different apple cultivars require a different approach to plant protection and nutrition according to their genotypic features. Currently, due to the relatively large number of cultivars in orchards and nurseries of horticultural farms, this approach is rarely used. Our work aimed to study the effectiveness of various foliar fertilizers and protection products in tank mixtures for the scab suppression and their impact on productivity according to cv’s genotypic features of ’Lobo’ and ’Zhigulevskoye’. The efficiency of protection and nutrition programs was studied in the nursery and orchard circumstances. According to generally accepted methods, we did our research in 2013-2015 in the experimental orchard and nursery of I.V. Michurin Federal Scientific Centre. We determined the biological effectiveness of the plant protection systems used, the development of productivity components (fruitset from free pollination, average fruit weight and yield per tree), the content of primary nutrients in soil, leaves, and fruits. The ecologized system has provided a sufficiently high level of protection, which allows recommending to producers. The introduction of such ecologized protection and nutrition systems that reduce the pesticide load assumes a much higher account of the interaction of apple trees with other plant and animal species and lifeless components of the nursery and orchard ecosystem. The use of an ecologized foliar nutrition system provided a high enough level of plant protection effectiveness, especially when combined with regular soil fertilizer application, and optimizing the mineral composition of leaves and fruits. Biologization of soil nutrition is one of the most critical tasks for preserving soil fertility in intensive horticulture. The soil application of bacterial fertilizers stimulated a significant increase in the average annual growth rate and stem diameters of young apple trees in the nursery and yield in the orchard. However, the highest results were obtained when applying bacteria cultures and artificial fertilizers at a reduced application rate.

Yield and fruit morphology of selected high productive Papua nutmeg trees (Myristica argentea Warb.)

Fakfak nutmeg is also known as Papua Nutmeg, and has become one of the main income sources of local communities in Fakfak and Kaimana Districts. It produces butter nutmeg, a fat derived from the seed used in perfumery and soaps. It grows wild or semi cultivation, so the productivity is generally low. To improve productivity, it is necessary to use planting materials derived from high productive trees. The study was aimed to identify nutmeg trees with high yield, good quality of fruit, seeds and essential oils. The study was undertaken in eight locations of Fakfak district. Mother trees selection were carried out during 2013-2015. About 136 mother trees have been selected with average fruit yield 2275 ± 340 fruits tree−1 and have bigger fruit and seed compared with original population. The average fruit weight 106 ± 9.6 g, fruit length 7.26 ± 0.54 cm, seed weight 13.52 ± 1.44 g, seed length 3.81 ± 0.34 cm, and mace weight > 2 g. Essential oil content of mature seeds and mace was considered low (<5%). The main chemical constituents of seeds and mace essential oils were sabinen, limonen and safrol. The safrole content was higher (> 20%) than standard.

Producers profile and the adoption of technologies in passion fruit cultivation in the Triângulo Mineiro region

Abstract Productivity of passion fruit in Brazil varies widely among producers in different states and regions depending on the adoption of technologies. In this study, the goal was to evaluate the producers profile and use of technologies in passion fruit production in the Triângulo Mineiro region, driven by the local juice industry. The research was carried out from 2018 to 2019, using Behavioral Diagnosis of Productive Activity methodology, based on questionnaires applied to 22 producers in eight cities. The data were submitted to descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis. Most producers grow passion fruit in up to 5 ha, in a family work regimen, and have little experience. The cultivation system is open field in vertical trellis, with a production cycle of 1.5 years. The great majority use manual pollination, chemical and organic fertilization, and do not systematically adopt integrated phytosanitary management. The seedlings are purchased from qualified nurseries and the most planted cultivar is the FB 300. The main losses reported by producers were caused by drought and damage to floral bud, with an average fruit yield of 17 t ha-1 year-1. This production chain is structured but requires technical interventions to increase the profitability and sustainability of the production system.

Comparison of SHD and Open-Center Training Systems in Almond Tree Orchards cv. ‘Soleta’

The increase in the demand for almonds, the development of novel self-fertile and late-flowering varieties, and the establishment of plantations in new irrigated areas have led to significant progress in the productive techniques of almond tree cultivation. One of the most important has been the increase in planting density, due to the development of dwarfing rootstocks. This paper presents a comparison between two training systems with ‘Soleta’ almond cultivar: a super high density (SHD) system using Rootpac-20 dwarfing rootstock versus an open-center training system using GF-677 rootstock. To this end, several parameters related to chlorophyll content (fluorescence and SPAD) and light interception (from photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurements) were monitored throughout two vegetative cycles, and other productive conditions (flowering, fruit set and production) were tracked at specific times of the cycle. The open-center system resulted in higher PAR interception than the SHD system, but also in the presence of poorly illuminated fractions of the canopy. Differences were observed between both systems in terms of average fruit weight and yield per canopy volume. Lower yields were obtained in SHD system than in open-center, which may be significantly increased by adapting the inter-row spacing. However, the degree of efficiency in the use of resources or productive inputs, such as irrigation, was favorable to the new SHD training system, so its potential to become a reference system in modern plantations (using over-the-row harvesters similar to those used for vine and olive trees) seems promising.

APPLICATION OF GA3 AND HARVEST SEASON INTERFERE IN PINEAPPLE YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of GA3 (gibberellic acid) application on growing pineapple ‘Perola’ fruits, and also the harvest season on yield, and fruit quality. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in 5×2 factorial design, being the first factor the application of GA3, and the second the harvest season, totaling in 10 treatments with four replicates, in split-plot plots. The treatments tested were: 1) GA3 application after the appearance of the first flower open on the inflorescence; 2) application of GA3 after the closing of the flowers in the inflorescence; 3) application of GA3 45 days before the first harvest; 4) two applications of GA3: one after the closing of flowers and another 45 days before the first fruits harvest; and 5) without application of GA3. Two harvest seasons were evaluated: 150 and 180 days after the floral induction. The phytoregulator Pro-Gibb® in a concentration of 200 mg L-1 of GA3 was adopted. The variables assessments were: fruit length with crown and without, crown length and mass, crownless fruit mass, average fruit mass and yield, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and pH of the juice. The harvest of pineapple fruits held 180 days after floral induction, combined with an application of GA3 45 days before the harvest, provided greater yield while maintaining and improving the quality of pineapple ‘Perola’ fruits. The use of GA3 did not influence the pineapple yield when the harvest is performed early, i.e. 150 days after flower induction.

INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ON GROWTH AND YIE LD OF HYBRID CAPSICUM (Capsicum annuum L.) IN ROOF TOP GARDEN

The experiment was conducted at the roof of third floor of Biotechnology department of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during October, 2017 to March, 2018. The two factorial experiments were laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Here, three levels of nitrogen dose N0: 0 kg N ha-1, N1: 100 kg N ha-1, N2: 130 kg N ha-1 and three levels of phosphorous dose P0: 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, P1: 50 kg P2O5 ha-1, P2: 80 kg P2O5 ha- 1 were used in this experiment. Growth and yield contributing parameters significantly influenced by different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. The dose of N2 treatment gave the highest plant height (87.45 cm) and most of the growth parameters increased with increasing nitrogen levels up to N2 treatment. The dose of P2 treatment gave the highest plant height (79.45 cm) and most of the growth parameters increased with increasing phosphorus levels up to P2 treatment. The treatment combination N2P2 gave the highest fruit diameter (4.26 cm), fruit length (11.91 cm), yield of fruits plant-1 (200 g), average fruit yield plot-1 (0.81 kg), individual fruit weight (0.84 g) and average fruit yield (6.79 ton/ha). Based on the findings, it can be suggested that the combined use of 130 kg N ha-1 with 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 increased plant growth and fruit yield of chili in rooftop garden. It is apparent that growth and yield of Capsicum annuum may be increased by using nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer except loses through leaching or other factors.

Study of genetic diversity in muskmelon (Cucumis melo) from different horticultural groups

An experiment was carried out to analyze genetic divergence through multivariate analysis based on D2 and principal component analysis (PCA) for 24 yield contributing traits among 67 muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes from 3 horticultural groups. The 67 genotypes were grouped into 15 distinct clusters. Cluster I consisted of 27 exotic lines from inodorous and cantalupensis group followed by cluster XIVwith 14 genotypes. Majority of genotypes of cluster XIV were developed in India except 4 exotic lines. The remaining13 clusters comprised of only 2 genotypes each and thus clustering pattern indicated enough genetic divergence in the germplasm under study. The highest value of intra cluster distance (43. 68) was found for cluster XV with 2 genotypes followed by XIV (38. 35) possessing 14 genotypes and cluster I (31. 07) having 27 genotypes. The highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster XV and XIV (42. 24), followed by the cluster XV and XI (40. 70) and cluster XV and VI (40. 48). The first 3 principal components accounted for majority (53. 77%) of the total variation. The traits which contributed positively to PC1 were days to first male flower opening, average fruit weight, fruit length, cavity length and yield per plant. The high yielding muskmelon genotypes with better fruit quality traits like DM-31, DM-145, DM-159 and DM-162 from inodorous group of Cluster I and Pusa Madhuras (Cluster VII), Kashi Madhu, Punjab Sunheri, Hara Madhu (Cluster XIV) from cantalupensis group should be utilized for hybrid development between two horticultural groups to incorporate theyield and desirable fruit quality traits from both groups.

Influence of Different Training Systems on the Beginning of Domestic Plum Production and Yield

Abstract All growers prefer to obtain a first harvest as soon as possible. The aim of this study was to identify an effective tree training system for new Latvian plum cultivars, which provides the highest yield and fruit quality. The trial was established in 2012 at the Institute of Horticulture (formerly Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing) and included cultivars ‘Ance’, ‘Adelyn’, and ‘Sonora’; and the controls ‘Victoria’ and ‘Jubileum’. Planting distances were 4 × 2.5 m, and the rootstock was Prunus cerasifera. Tree training was done using four systems: two systems with branch bending (Heka espalier and spindle); and two systems without bending (standard (round) and flat crown). Evaluation of average fruit weight and yield per trunk cross section area (TCSA) was done from 2015 to 2017. The Heka espalier and spindle systems had first yield in 2015, but systems without bending had first yield only in 2016. Average yield per TCSA was significantly higher for the Heka espalier system (0.49 kg·cm−2) than for the spindle system (0.24 kg·cm−2), standard crown system (0.17 kg·cm−2), and flat crown system (0.30 kg·cm−2). Cultivar ‘Victoria’ had the highest yield among all systems. Average fruit size showed the same results: the biggest fruits were obtained with the Heka espalier system, and the smallest for systems without bending in the standard crown.

Raleio mecânico como alternativa no cultivo de pessegueiros

In the major peach producing regions, thinning is performed manually, this practice requires high labor availability and cost. Mechanical thinning may be an alternative to manual fruit thinning. In this way, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of mechanical thinning with different equipment hand conducted in peach trees. The experiment consisted of the following treatments: hand thinning, mechanical flower thinning with the Carpa Electro® equipment, mechanical flower thinning with the trimming equipment and mechanical thinning of the fruits with the trimming equipment. The variables evaluated in the field were percentage of flower and fruit removed, effective fruiting, thinning time, number of fruits per plant, average fruit mass and yield per plant. The hand thinning and mechanical thinning of the flowers with the trimming equipment are effective to increase the yield and fruit size. Mechanical thinning of flowers and fruits is an alternative to the manual peach tree thinning, due to the capacity of flower and fruit fall and the reduction of the time to thinning perform practice.

Performance of soilless cucumbers in relation to differential fertigation under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions

A study was carried out in a split plot design in three replicates during 2016–17 to monitor the performance of soilless cucumbers in relation to differential fertigation. The treatments included fertigation levels viz. 100.0% (F1), 85.0% (F2) and 70.0% (F3) in main plots and varieties viz. Kafka (V1), Multistar (V2) and PBRK-4 (V3) in sub plots. Fertigation levels and varieties significantly affected the fruit yield being highest and lowest values for F1V2 and F3V3, respectively. The average fruit yield with and without fruit thinning was obtained in the range of 2.4–3.5 kg plant−1 and 3.3–4.4 kg plant−1, respectively. The crop water use efficiency (CWUE) was computed to be in the range of 60.4–86.3 kg m−3 and 84.6–108.9 kg m−3 with and without fruit thinning. Overall, the soilless cucumber cultivation in relation to differential fertigation under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions proved to be a success in terms of plant growth, yield, quality and economic viability.

Polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulches improve growth, yield, and weed management in floricane red raspberry

Polyethylene (PE) mulch and biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) have been used in annual vegetable and strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production systems for several decades due to their ability to suppress weeds, modify soil temperature and moisture, and promote earlier and greater yields. However, there are only a few studies that have explored mulch use in perennial production systems. The overall objective of this study was to compare PE mulch and BDMs to growers’ standard practice of bare ground (BG) cultivation in a floricane red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) production system in northwestern Washington, USA. Cumulative weed growth, root lesion nematode [Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filipjev and Schuurmans Stekhoven; RLN] population densities, soil temperature and moisture, cumulative plant growth, and fruit yield were evaluated in a ‘Wake™Field’ red raspberry field in 2017 and 2018. Compared to the BG control, PE mulch and BDMs suppressed weeds and generally increased soil temperature. Root lesion nematode population densities were greater in soil covered with PE mulch than Novamont 0.5, and were greater in raspberry roots from plots treated with PE mulch than BASF 0.6 and the BG control. Primocane height and number were higher for plants grown with mulches relative to the BG control in 2017. Average fruit yield of plants from the mulched treatments was 34% greater than the BG control. Overall, this research demonstrated that PE mulch and BDMs improved raspberry plant growth and yield. These findings demonstrate the potential benefits of using PE mulch and BDMs for improving establishment in perennial crops.

Long-term Productivity of Three Rambutan Cultivars Grown in an Ultisol Soil in Puerto Rico

The globalization of the economy, increased ethnic diversity, and a greater demand for healthy and more diverse food production has increased the demand for tropical fruit, including rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum). Replicated field trials to evaluate performance of rambutan cultivars have been very limited and as with many other tropical fruit crops, there is a scarcity of information on best management practices and optimal growing conditions for rambutan. The objective of this study was to determine the yield potential of three rambutan cultivars (Jitlee, R-134, R-162) when the age of grafted trees was ≈20 years. The data were compared with that obtained from an early production period when the age of the trees was ≈10 years. This information may help rambutan growers make expansion and/or investment plans. Number of fruit and yield in 2017 were significantly higher in 2017 than in 2016. In 2017, average fruit number and yield of cultivars were 582,774 fruit/ha and 19,528 kg·ha−1, respectively, whereas in 2016 were 394,269 fruit/ha and 13,164 kg·ha−1, respectively. There were no significant differences among cultivars for number of fruit produced, averaging 488,521 fruit/ha. This production is higher than the 5-year average obtained from the 2005–09 harvest period when grafted trees were about 9 years old. The results of this study demonstrate that grafted rambutan trees can remain prolific in mature orchards.

Fruit set, yield and carpological characteristics of five almond cultivars (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) as affected by different soil management in southern Italy

Almond cultivation is of considerable importance among fruit crops of the warm-temperate climate and has been growing steadily worldwide since the early 1990s, reaching about 1.87 million cultivated hectares in 2016. In the Mediterranean Region, where the main parts of almond orchard are located, high erosion rates have been observed in many tree crops, including almond. Tillage is the traditional and prevailing soil management technique in the Mediterranean Basin despite many studies reported negative effects on soil quality highlighting the significant increase of soil erosion determined by this technique. But very few data are available in the literature, especially for almond, about the effects on vegetative and reproductive activities, yields and fruit quality of tree crops. The trial aimed to evaluate the effect of three different soil management techniques (‘conventional tillage’, ‘no-till without cover crop’, ‘frequently mown cover crop’) on five almond cultivars (‘Ferragnes’, ‘Filippo Ceo’, ‘Genco’, ‘Supernova’, ‘Tuono’), grown in a commercial almond orchard located in Southern Italy. Average fruit set, yield tree(-1) and dimensional parameters of fruits and kernel were determined. The tested cultivar showed difference in their fruiting behaviour regarding the distribution of both floral buds and fruits on different types of bearing shoots. This suggested, with the aim to increase productivity, that during pruning it is necessary to mainly preserve a different type of shoots in each one of these cultivars. For all the cultivars evaluated, quite negative effects resulted in terms of both yield and carpological parameters for the ‘no tillage’ treatment, while the best performances were observed for the ‘conventional tillage’ treatment.

Influence of rootstock on plum trees performance during the early years after grafting

Plum cultivars (×13) were grafted on Prunus cerasifera and on ‘Wangenheim Prune’ (P. domestica) seedlings and compared for 4 successive years after planting in the orchard. Several vegetative and reproductive traits were monitored including trunk diameter, flowering intensity, yield, fruit weight, soluble solids content (SSC) and the yield efficiency index was determined, too. Cultivar ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’ was the most precocious. It started to yield in the first year after the planting. Cultivars ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’, ‘Violeta’, ‘Valor’, ‘Stanley’ and ‘Oda’ showed the highest yield in the young orchard. Cultivars ‘Jubileum’, ‘Kijevas vēlā’ and ‘Cacanska Rana’ produced attractive large tasty fruit: their weight reached 55-59 g and taste was estimated at 4.4-4.6 points in 1-5 score scale. The ‘Wangenheim Prune’ rootstock reduced tree trunk diameter by 29% in comparison with P. cerasifera seedlings. Average fruit yield per plot was 34% higher from trees grafted on P. cerasifera rootstock. Only yield efficiency of ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’ and ‘Valor’ were influenced by rootstock being higher when grafted on P. cerasifera. Rootstock had no effect on average fruit weight and SSC.

REDUKSI JUMLAH BIJI CABAI RAWIT (Capsicum frutescents) DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN SARI AKAR ECENG GONDOK (Eichhornia crassipes)

Cayenne pepper is one of the important economic agricultural commodities and is widely used in the food industry. However, the presence of cayenne pepper seeds is not favored by some people because if consumed can cause digestive disorders. Giberelin is one of the growth regulating substances commonly used to produce seedless fruit growth. This study aims to explore the effect of water hyacinth root extract (Eichhornia crassipes) on plant height, yield and number of cayenne pepper seeds. The study was carried out experimentally using a completely randomized design (CRD) of 4 extract treatments, namely 0 g / l (control), 25 g / l, 50 g / l, and 75 g / l of water hyacinth root extract, each of which was repeated six times. The results of this study indicate that the provision of water hyacinth root extract can increase plant height and yield but reduce the amount of cayenne pepper seeds. The concentration of water hyacinth root extract 75 g / l is the best water hyacinth root extract that can produce an average plant height of 65.67cm, an average yield of 206.50 fruits per plant with an average fruit yield of 170.17 gram per plant and the average number of seeds is 31.17 seeds per cayenne pepper. This study concluded that the root extract of goiter water can reduce the number of seeds and increase plant height and yield of cayenne pepper.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: cayenne pepper, giberelin hormone, water hyacinth and cayenne pepper seeds.

Containment evaluation, cold tolerance and toxicity analysis in Osmotin transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pusa Ruby).

The present study reports engineered cold tolerance and toxicity analysis in genetically modified tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pusa Ruby) developed through constitutive over expression of Nicotiana tabacum Osmotin gene. Rate of seed germination, seedling establishment and growth remained unaffected in the transgenic tomato in response to a low temperature (15°C) treatment, but were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced in the wild type. At reproductive stage, the wild type plants failed to recover at the low temperature (4.0°C) treatment for 10 days but the transgenic plants survived successfully without any leaf senescence or other visible chilling injury symptoms. The quantitative transcript expression analysis confirmed up regulation of the transgene by 55% in the transgenic plants on cold treatment for 2h whereas, the transcripts were not detected in the wild type. Containment evaluation under normal environmental conditions revealed similar morphology in both the transgenic and wild type tomato plants however an average fruit yield was higher in the transgenic plants (725.91 ± 39.27g) than the wild type (679.84 ± 28.80g). The composition of mature fruits in terms of element content was at par in both the transgenic and wild type except significantly higher Ca and Mg contents in the transgenic fruits than that of the wild type. Further, acute and sub-acute toxicity tests conducted in the adult female Wister rats revealed no mortality or significant changes in general and psychological behaviour, at par food intake and body weight and, normal biochemical, and hematological parameters for animals fed with the wild type or transgenic tomato fruits as compared to the control group, confirming its safety for animal consumption.

Socioeconomic and Ethnobotanical Importance of the Breadfruit Tree (Artocarpus Communis J. G &amp; G. Forster) in Benin

This study aims to evaluate ethnobotanical knowledge that populations hold and income from the exploitation of the breadfruit (Artocarpus communis) in southern Benin. The data collected by interview and focus group are related to the uses of Artocarpus communis, harvest methods and the habitat of specie. The results show that A. communis is used for: food, trade, artisanal, energetic, cultural and medicinal. Local populations know the species with unequal distribution among gender (Men ID = 0.75 and IE = 0.08) and Women (ID = 0.48 and IE = 0.06); and when it comes to age (Young ID = 0.56 and IE = 0.07; Adult ID = 0.606 and IE = 0.08; Old ID = 0.75 and IE = 0.1) suggesting that people make various uses of the species. The most used plant part was the fruit (VUT=11, 87). These organs (Fruits, Flowers, Leaf), are collected either by picking or collecting, (bark) by debarking and (root) by digging. 50.51% of people surveyed collected those organs on breadfruit trees present at homes, 14.65% on those present in fields, 11.62% in the dregs and 23.23% in fallow lands. The average fruit yield of an orchard is estimated at 17 tonnes/ha, which represents an average income of about 2817 USD/individual/year.

Root Growth, Fruit Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Greenhouse Grown Tomato Under Different Irrigation Regimes and Nitrogen Levels

Soil water and nutrients are the two important factors affecting vegetative growth and the reproduction of greenhouse tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.), but the effect of the interaction between irrigation and nitrogen (N) rates on fruit yield, root characteristics and N uptake have not yet been studied. Tomatoes were irrigated at 100% (W1), 80% (W2), and 60% (W3) of reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) and N fertilizer was supplied at 240 kg N ha−1 (N240), 180 kg N ha−1 (N180), and 120 kg N ha−1 (N120) under drip fertigation in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, the fruit yield of the irrigation and N rates varied from 54.1 to 75.9 t ha−1. In 2016 (where the total irrigation amount was higher than in 2015), the fruit yield varied from 55.6 to 78.7 t ha−1. The average fruit yield in W1 was 17.8% and 21.4% higher than W3, in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The mean root weight density in N240 was 13.4% and 10.7% lower than N180, in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Averaging the irrigation levels, the total dry-matter production in N180 and N120 was, respectively, 1.4% and 13.2% lower than N240 in 2015. With the application of the irrigation and N fertilizer rates, plant N uptake increased from 28.7 to 94% in 2015 and from 14 to 92.3% in 2016. The water use efficiency (WUE) of the irrigation and N rates varied from 25.4 to 37.2 kg m−3 and from 20.8 to 36 kg m−3 in 2016. The partial factor productivity of the N fertilizer (PFPN) varied from 274.6 to 529.3 kg kg−1 and from 260.1 to 592.1 kg kg−1 in 2016 with the irrigation and N fertilizer rates. We conclude that the effect of irrigation and N rates on fruit yield, dry-matter production and N uptake significantly changes with the root characteristics. Considering the trade-off among the plant N uptake, WUE and PFPN, W2N180 may give a satisfactory fruit yield for greenhouse tomato in north-west China.

On-farm yield performance of improved varieties of vegetables in Sylhet region

A total of five separate field trials were conducted at farm farmers’ field in Sylhet area during three consecutive crops seasons of 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively to evaluate the yield performance of improved varieties with the existing cultivars of five vegetables at farmers' field. Each experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. The unit plot size was 5m x 8m.The results showed that improved variety of tomato (var. BARI Tomato-14) produced higher average fruit (55.60 t ha-1) yield with the yield increase of 16.93% over control. In case of country bean, the local variety Goalgadda performed better and produced higher green pod yield (14.31 t ha-1) compared to that of BARI Sheem-6. The brinjal variety BARI Bt Begun-2 was the best yielder with an average fruit yield of 25.62 t ha-1 i.e. 107.62% increase over non-Bt as check. In case of yield trial with Capsicum, locally grown cultivar California Wonder performed better and produced comparatively higher yield (14.02 t ha-1) than var. BARI Mistimorich-1. In case of summer hyacinth bean viz., BARI Sheem-7 gave higher pod yield of 14.96 t ha-1 compared to that of the check variety (11.41 t ha-1) in researcher-managed trial.SAARC J. Agri., 16(1): 71-79 (2018)