Winter Tomato Research Articles

Estimating the economic effects of the quantitative and qualitative losses of the winter tomato crop and the factors affecting it in Sharkia Governorate.

Estimating the economic effects of the quantitative and qualitative losses of the winter tomato crop and the factors affecting it in Sharkia Governorate.

Optimal Use of Plant Growth Regulators for Improved Growth, Yield, and Economic Returns of Winter Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in arid regions

Optimal Use of Plant Growth Regulators for Improved Growth, Yield, and Economic Returns of Winter Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in arid regions

Notch sight review on use of antimicrobial nano preparations as immunity agro booster for production of diseased free Solanum tuberosum crop plant

Solanum tuberosum (potato plant) vegetable crop is used worldwide in various industries like food & beverage industries and pharmaceutical industries. Its potential improved agricultural production can be helpful to combat the global hunger index of many underdeveloped and developing countries. But production is getting hampered due to various reasons such as post-harvest losses, early ripening and moreover because of few bacterial and fungal diseases such Bacterial wilt, Septoria leaf spot, Late blight, Early blight, Common scab, Black scurf/ canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis. Currently there is a growing interest in the study of nano dispersions due to its bioavailability and biocompatibility that found to report which destabilized the lipid membrane of the pathogenic microbes due to their potent antimicrobial activity. As well as, their nano sized droplets will likely increase transport efficiency of any kind of loaded chemical or biological molecules to the targeted sites which also imparted antimicrobial resistance to crop plant especially potato plants. Managing the plant pathogenesis through various green and sustainable herbal nanopreparations can be observed satisfactory for the environmental concerns and cost effectiveness especially for autumn winter tomato which face the decrease in production either early flowing and fruiting period or post-harvest loss due to attack of fungal and bacterial pathogens.

The impact of growing season on the ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathways of a heat tolerant tomato during off-vine postharvest ripening

Ethylene initiates and mediates fruit ripening throughout a cascade of signal transductions from ethylene receptors (ETRs) to ethylene response factors (ERFs). High temperatures impair fruit ripening by suppressing ethylene biosynthesis and parts of physiological and biochemical processes. This study made use of the ethylene inhibitor (1-MCP) and exogenous ethylene to investigate the ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathways of a heat tolerant tomato cultivar, cv. ‘Savior’, during off-vine postharvest ripening during two distinct growing seasons. Mature green ’Savior‘ tomatoes grown in winter (mild temperature) and summer (high temperature) were harvested at and treated with 1-MCP or exogenous ethylene. During off-vine ripening, summer fruit showed a different ethylene biosynthesis profile compared to winter fruit. The application of exogenous ethylene did not accelerate fruit ripening of the heat tolerant cultivar. 1-MCP suppressed ethylene production for a long time, and delayed fruit ripening of winter tomato, while for summer fruit, a limited effect of 1-MCP on inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis and delaying ripening was observed despite the strong suppression of ACC oxidase (ACO) activity. Our work also showed that a 1-MCP treatment reduced gene expression of several ethylene receptors (ETR) but did not have a strong effect on constitutive triple response (CTR), except CTR1, and ethylene-insensitive protein 2 (EIN2). Overall, our results indicate that i) ethylene biosynthesis is differentially regulated in winter as compared to summer fruit by ethylene signaling, ii) a high cultivation temperature impacts ethylene biosynthesis and ethylene sensitivity during fruit ripening despite the fact that this is a heat tolerant cultivar, iii) the expression of most ETRs and CTRs, and especially EIN2 did not respond to the 1-MCP or ethylene treatment.

Improvement of Productivity and Quality of Nepalese Tomato Genotypes Using Black Polyethylene Film as Mulching Material

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of black plastic mulch on yield and other associated characters of promising tomato genotypes developed by the National Horticulture Research Centre, Nepal at the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Tarahara, Nepal, during the winter season of 2019. Nine tomato genotypes (HRDTOM 011, HRD 109, HRDTOM 035, HRDTOM 080, HRDTOM 079, HRDTOM 084, HRDTOM 085, HRDTOM 086, and Pusa Ruby as a check) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Genotypes were transplanted 60 cm apart. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for marketable fruits and yield per plant, average fruit weight, total marketable and unmarketable fruit yield, and total fruit yield. Among the tested genotypes, HARDTOM 011 developed the highest (174) number of marketable fruits per plant with the lowest (12.92 g) individual average fruit weight. In contrast, HRDTOM 080 produced the lowest (36) number of marketable fruits per plant with the highest (49.70 g) individual fruit weight. HRD 109 and Pusa Ruby provided the highest (69.74 t ha-1) and the lowest (38.51 t ha-1) marketable fruit yields, respectively. The highest total fruit yield was also obtained from the HRD 109. Similarly, HRDTOM 085 and HRDTOM 035 had the highest total soluble solids and fruit size, respectively. Firmness of the fruit and pH content did not differ among the genotypes. With the same genotypes and location (Tarahara), a 98% greater yield demonstrated that tomato production may be significantly boosted with the use of polyethylene film as a mulching medium in winter tomato production in Nepal.

Marketing pathways for the winter tomato crop in Qena Governorate

Marketing pathways for the winter tomato crop in Qena Governorate

ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE EFFICIENCY OF MARKETING SOME VEGETABLE CROPS IN SHARKIA GOVERNORATE )FIELD STUDY ON TOMATO CROP(, In Arabic

Al-Sharki Governorate is considered one of the important governorates in the production of vegetable crops, as the total area of ​​vegetables in Sharkia governorate reached about 154,295thousand feddans in 2017, which is divided into winter vegetable crops, which reached a total area of ​​about 83,,300thousand feddans, or about 54% of the total area of ​​vegetables in the Sharkia governorate. The total area of ​​summer green vegetables, which amounted to about 66, 766thousand feddans, which represents about 43,3% of the total area of ​​vegetables in the governorate, while the total area of ​​the Nile vegetables is about 4, 229thousand feddans and represents about 2,7% of the total area of ​​the governorate of the green area. The three are vegetable crops in Sharkia Governorate. The winter tomato crop is one of the largest vegetable crops grown in the Sharkia governorate. Its cultivated area is about 35, 105thousand feddans, representing about 42,1% of the total area cultivated with winter vegetables in the Governorate. Conclusively, the results of the seasonal index showed the remarkable fluctuation in consumer prices for tomato crops at the level of both the Republic and the Eastern regions.

Technology, Policy, and Market Adaptation Mechanisms for Sustainable Fresh Produce Industry: The Case of Tomato Production in Florida, USA

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Florida, a state located in the south-eastern region of the United States. The state is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the country and contributes to almost 90% of the domestic winter tomato supplies. However, tomato farmers in Florida have come under increasing pressure due to climate changes, foreign imports, and rising production costs. The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether Florida tomato growers will continue to sustain their production given the seasonal and geographic production advantage, yet against various internal and external threats emerging throughout the fresh produce supply chain. We developed our study on a multi-disciplinary conceptual model of network (supply chain) relationship and primary and secondary data gathered from various stakeholders and the literature. We found that Florida farmers have done remarkably well by adapting to warming temperatures and changing consumer expectations about environmental sustainability and responsible labor practices. However, foreign competition, labor shortage, the rising costs of inputs, extreme weather events (hurricanes), and pests and diseases due to humid climate continue to affect the sustainability of the Florida tomato production. Our paper suggests various farm-, market-, and institution-level adaptation mechanisms for preventing the regional production advantage of the Florida tomato industry from eroding. Newer immigration laws are necessary for easing the labor situation. In order to have a level playing field with respect to the use of protected agriculture technology such as in Mexico and Canada, U.S. farmers in general and Florida farmers in particular need government support. Florida farmers need to diversify their fresh produce market strategies, finding new product streams. There is also a need for reforming the product certification landscape, which some growers find cumbersome and cost prohibitive. Growers may gain from being better able to convey to consumers the information regarding their effort put into environmental sustainability, workers welfare, and safe food.

Identification of cold resistance and resistance physiological response of eggplant germplasms for rootstock

[Objective] The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of low temperature on the physiology of eggplant seedlings for rootstock, select the germplasms with strong cold resistance, and to provide a reference for the breeding of cold tolerant rootstocks suitable for grafting cultivation of autumn and winter tomato in South China. [Method] Sixteen eggplant germplasms for rootstock were used as materials, and the low temperature treatment temperatures of 10, 15 and 20 °C were set. The cold tolerance of eggplant germplasms for rootstock was evaluated according to germination index, chilling injury index and physiological index in the germonation and old temperature stress experiment. [Result] The low temperature of 10 °C significantly inhibited the germination of eggplant seeds for rootstock, and the germination rates were all less than 10.00% except that germination rate of J61 was 18.33%. There was no significant correlation among seed germination rate, germination index, germination potential and seedling chilling injury index ( P>0.05). The seedling chilling injury indexes of germplasm BC05 and J13 were 0.16, 0.20 respectively, showing high resistance (HR) to low temperature. The seedling chilling injury indexes of germplasm BC06, J60, AQ and A were 0.27-0.40, which showed moderate resistance (MR) to low temperature. The chilling injury index of 8 germplasms such as BC01, BC02 and BC03 ranged from 0.40-0.56, which showed resistance (R) to low temperature. Under low temperature stress at 10 °C, the chlorophyll content of the tested germplasm seedlings decreased, while the conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline(Pro) contents increased, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased, but the response degree of different germplasms were different. The chilling injury index of seedlings was extremely significantly ( P<0.01, the same below) or significantly ( P<0.05, the same below) positively correlated with the change rate of chlorophyll content and MDA content. It was significantly or extremely significantly negatively correlated with the change rate of Pro content, activities of SOD, POD and CAT, respectively. The subordinate function value of the low temperature resistance of the tested germplasms were analyzed. The above six germplasm with HR and MR were ranked in the top six for their comprehensive low temperature resistance. And the above six germplasms were classified as high resistance to low temperature or resistance to low temperature by cluster analysis. [Conclusion] The index of seed germination should not be used as the identification index of cold tolerance of eggplant for rootstock. The seedlings chilling injury index, chlorophyll, MDA and Pro contents, SOD, POD and CAT activities can be used as the identification indexes of cold tolerance. The results of comprehensive evaluation show that BC05, J13, BC06, J60, AQ and A have high resistance to low temperature. And above six gemplasms can be used as backbone germplasm materials for breeding new varieties of cold-tolerant rootstocks. 摘要 【目的】 探讨低温对砧用茄子幼苗生理的影响, 筛选出耐冷性强的种质, 为选育适合华南地区秋冬番茄嫁 接栽培的耐冷砧木提供参考依据。 【方法】 以16份砧用茄子种质为材料, 设置10、15和20 °C不同低温处理, 通过种子发 芽及幼苗低温胁迫试验, 根据发芽指标、冷害指数和生理指标鉴定评价砧用茄子种质的耐冷性。 【结果】10 °C低温明 显抑制砧用茄子种子萌发, 除J61的发芽率为18.33%外其余种质的发芽率均在10.00%以下, 种子发芽率、发芽指数、发芽势与幼苗冷害指数均无显著相关性 ( P>0.05)。种质BC05和J13的幼苗冷害指数分别为0.16和0.20,表现强耐低 温, 种质BC06、J60、AQ和A的幼苗冷害指数为0.27~0.40,表现中耐低温, BC01、BC02和BC03等8份种质的冷害指数为 0.40~0.56,表现耐低温。10 °C低温胁迫下, 幼苗叶绿素含量降低, 电导率、内'二醛(MDA)和脯氨酸(Pro)含量增高, 超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性增加, 不同种质的响应程度不同。幼苗冷害指 数分别与叶绿素含量、MDA含量的变化率呈极显著 ( P<0.01, 下同) 和显著 ( P<0.05,下同) 正相关, 与Pro含量及SOD、POD、CAT活性的变化率呈显著或极显著负相关。对供试种质的耐冷性进行隶属函数综合分析, 以上表现强耐低温、中耐低温的6份种质的综合耐冷性排序前6, 聚类分析将这6份种质归类为强耐低温类、耐低温类。 【结论】 种子发芽指 标不应作为砧用茄子耐冷性的鉴定指标, 幼苗冷害指数及叶绿素、MDA、Pro含量和SOD、POD、CAT活性6项生理指 标可作为耐冷性的鉴定指标。综合评价结果, BC05, J13, BC06, J60, AQ和A等6份种质耐冷性强, 可作为选育耐冷砧 木新品种的骨十种质材料加以利用。

OCURRENCIA DEL NEMÁTODO AGALLADOR DE LA RAÍZ EN TOMATE INVERNAL Y SU EFECTO SOBRE EL RENDIMIENTO EN CLIMA SUBTROPICAL

El nematodo agallador de la raíz (NAR; Meloidogyne spp. o RKN, por sus siglas en inglés), es un fitopatógeno importante del tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) que causa pérdidas en el rendimiento de sus cultivares. Las condiciones climáticas afectan la incidencia del NAR; sin embargo, se conoce poco del efecto del clima subtropical en los nematodos epidémicos que afectan al tomate invernal en China. Para estudiar la dinámica de poblaciones de los NAR en la rizósfera del cultivo de tomate invernal, y para analizar la relación entre tomates injertados y no injertados y sus rendimientos, se realizaron experimentos de campo en las localidades de Shuangqiao y Taiping en la provincia china de Guangxi entre 2014 y 2016. Los campos experimentales de tomates de siembra temprana y tardía se ubicaron en Shuangqiao y Taiping, respectivamente. El ANDEVA y la prueba de comparación de medias (Tukey; p≤0.05) se efectuaron con el paquete estadístico SPSS, v. 19.0. Los resultados mostraron que los NAR (Meloidogyne incognita) formaron tres generaciones en tomate de siembra temprana y tardía. En tomate temprano, a los 0-31, 32-113, y 114-155 días después del trasplante (DDT), las cuales requirieron 31, 81 y 28-42 d, respectivamente. Durante la temporada de cultivo de tomate de siembra tardía, hubo tres generaciones a los 0-60, 47-101 y 88-157 DDT; los nematodos requirieron 46-60, 40 y 55 d para completar cada generación. Algunos nematicidas se aplicaron para suprimir a las poblaciones juveniles de segunda generación (J2) en los campos en los cuales las poblaciones J2 alcanzaron niveles máximos. El rendimiento del tomate injertado fue mayor (p≤0.05) que el del tomate no injertado. Este resultado indica que la tolerancia al NAR en portainjertos de tomates injertados fue mayor que en el tomate no injertado.

Analytical economic study of the impact of climate change on tomato and bean crops in Egypt (Case study of the Beheira Governorate)

Climate change is a difficult fact to deny; because agriculture is a biological industry that is particularly sensitive to any climatic changes, as crops are geographically, thermally and humid, which is expected to have a negative effect on production and therefore a greater difficulty in self-sufficiency and food gap than crops, Which are particularly sensitive to climate change such as tomato crop and food gap crops such as bean crop. The economic impacts of climate change on study crops and future status should be determined.The study found that there is a negative effect of the average temperature on the productivity of the bean yield, while the positive effect of rainfall on the productivity of the bean crop. There was also a negative effect of rainfall and moisture on the productivity of winter tomatoes, but the effect of the average temperature on winter tomato production was positive. The effect of the average temperature and humidity on tomato production was found to be negative. The scenarios also show that the productivity deficit can be compensated by increasing the area planted with the crops.

Studies on Character Improvement in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by Heterosis

Most of the tomato varieties in Bangladesh are of inbred type and produced low yield indicating need to develop high yielding variety through the hybridization. Heterosis breeding is used to improve yield and quality of tomato because traditional methods cannot be used to achieve this goal. A half diallel design was employed to develop F1s from seven parents of winter tomato. 21 F1s along with their parents were evaluated for yield and quality traits. Heterosis analysis revealed that heterotic vigor was present for growth and yield characters among hybrids. Heterosis for better parent was negative for days to flowering, days to harvest, harvest duration, number of locules, and number of seeds per fruit but positive for fruit set, number of fruits per plant, yield per plant, pericarp thickness and TSS. None of the hybrid was heterotic for all characters simultaneously. The hybrids G5, G13, G16, G17, G18, and G20 had 25.73, 19.92, 39.20, 36.49, 53.77, and 50.31% higher heterosis compared to the better parent, respectively, for fruit yield per plant as well as for many other yield contributing traits. High heterosis for yield appears to be the consequence of heterosis of yield attributing traits; therefore, these hybrids offer scope of developing improved commercial lines through heterosis breeding.

Biorational Management of Tomato Fruit Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in Winter under Field Condition of Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted during the period of December 2014 to March, 2015 in the Entomology Field Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh on the management of tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) using different biorational insecticides on winter tomato variety BARI-2 in Bangladesh. Efficacy of seven different biorational insecticides viz. Neem oil, Mahogany oil, Karanja oil, Ambush 1.8EC, Libsen 45SC, Emamectin benzoate 5SG and Beauveria bassiana were evaluated on the basis of percentage of fruit damage and percentage increase/decrease of yield. All the biorational insecticides were significantly effective in comparison to control treatment. Besides, among seven insecticides; Emamectin benzoate 5SG provided the best result with the lowest cumulative mean percentage fruit infestation (20.95 % & 17.24% based on number & weight, respectively). Percentage reduction of infested fruit was the highest (57.50 & 62.38%, by no. and weight, respectively) in Emamectin treated plots. Similarly the highest percentage protection (58.99 & 63.06% by no. and weight, respectively) of infested fruit was also found from the Emamectin benzoate treatment. But Libsen 45SC revealed the highest efficacy on marketable fruit yield (20.23tonha-1) compared to other treatments. So, Emamectin benzoate and Libsen both might be used to manage tomato fruit borer effectively.

An Economic Study for Production of Winter Tomato Crop in Bir Al-Abd, North Sinai Governorate دراسة اقتصادیة لانتاج محصول الطماطم الشتوى فى مرکز بئر العبد بمحافظة شمال سیناء

استهدف البحث دراسة اقتصاديات انتاج محصول الطماطم الشتوى فى مرکز بئر العبد بمحافظة شمال سيناء. وقد توصل البحث الى عدة نتائج اهمها ان مرکز بئر العبد يحتل المرکز الاول فيما يتعلق بمساحة وعدد حائزى محصول الطماطم الشتوى فى محافظة شمال سيناء، ويعد المرکز الرئيسى ان لم يکن الوحيد فى الوقت الراهن لامداد باقى مراکز المحافظة بالمنتجات الزراعية بصفة عامة ومحصول الطماطم نظرا للظروف الامنية التى تمر بها المحافظة. ويعتبر محصول الطماطم الشتوى من محاصيل الخضر الرئيسية فى محافظة شمال سيناء حيث بلغت مساحتها نحو 6.6 ألف فدان يمثل نحو 70٪ من جملة المساحة المزروعة بالطماطم بعروتيها الشتوى والصيفى، وتمثل نحو38.5% من جملة مساحة الخضر المزروعة بمحافظة شمال سيناء لمتوسط الفترة (2012-2016). تشکل القيمة الإيجارية للفدان نحو 30.82% من اجمالى التکاليف الثابتة. يليها تکلفة الاهلاک لبلاستيک تغطية شتلات الطماطم لحمايتها من الصقيع والرمال ثم تکلفة الاهلاک لشبکة الرى بنحو 27.65%، 16.61% من اجمالى التکاليف الثابتة على الترتيب. بقياس الکفاءة الاقتصادية بالمعيار الاول (العلاقة بين الايرادات وقيمة مستلزمات الانتاج) وجد أنها قد بلغت حوالى 4.27 جنيها. وبالمعيار الثاني (العلاقة بين القيمة المضافة وتکاليف الانتاج) فقد بلغت حوالى 1.22 جنيها. يعتبر عامل کمية السماد العضوي أکثر العوامل تأثيرا على الإنتاجية، يليه حجم العمالة البشرية ثم کمية التقاوي حيث أنه بزيادة کمية تلک العوامل تزيد الإنتاجية الفدانية. وتشير مرونة الانتاج الاجمالية إلى علاقة العائد بالسعة المتناقصة حيث بلغت مرونة الانتاج الاجمالية حوالى 0.584 مما يعنى ان مزارعي الطماطم بعينة الدراسة يقومون بالإنتاج في المرحلة الثانية من قانون تناقص الغلة. کما تبين وجود العديد من المشکلات التى تواجة منتجى الطماطم الشتوى بعينة الدراسة. وانتهى البحث بعدة توصيات فى صورة برامج للنهوض بانتاج محصول الطماطم فى محافظة شمال سيناء واليات تنفيذ هذة البرامج والمردود الاقتصادى من تنفيذها.

Effect of some irrigation and fertilization treatments on growth and productivity of winter tomato grown under low tunnils

Effect of some irrigation and fertilization treatments on growth and productivity of winter tomato grown under low tunnils

Effects of substrate hydroponic systems and different N and K ratios on yield and quality of tomato fruit

ABSTRACTThe present study was carried out to determine the influence of wick and drip substrate hydroponic systems and different ratios of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in the nutrient solution on fruit yield and quality (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total soluble sugars, firmness, lycopene, carotenoids) in tomato. Summer and winter tomato crop was raised under two substrate hydroponic systems. Four nutrient solutions (N:K ratios in four combinations) were tested in both the growing seasons at vegetative and reproductive stages of plant development. Among the different nutrient solutions, the solution containing N and K in the ratio of 1.4:3 at vegetative and 1.7:3.5 at reproductive stage increased the total fruit yield and quality of tomato irrespective of hydroponic system or season. Among the hydroponic systems, wick system produced higher fruit yield and better quality in terms of firmness, ascorbic acid, and total soluble sugars in winter crop.

PREDICTING TOMATO CROP PRODUCTION

abstract The study aimed to predict the production of the tomato crop in its three plantings using time series for the production of the tomato crop during the period of (1999- 2014). The test of ADF showed unit root and Normality test showed that the time series data of the study does not significantly differ from the normal distribution of the random variable .The use of modern analysis procedures based on Box-Jenkins methodology showed efficient prediction of tomato crop production. The model of ARIMA (0,0,1) was the best model among the proposed models in this study to predict the winter tomato crop where production is forecasted at 4165, 4238, 4312, 4385 and 4458 thousand tons during the period of (2016- 2020), respectively. The proposed model to predict summer tomato crop is the model ARIMA (2,0,1), where production is forecasted at 4801, 5058, 5209, 5258 and 5246 thousand tons during the period of (2016- 2020), respectively. The model of ARIMA (0,0,1) was proposed to predict the indigo tomato crop where production is estimated at 769, 747, 726, 705 and 684 thousand tons during the period of (2016- 2020), respectively.The study recommends using models that have been reached to predict the production of the tomato crop and the adoption of forecasts given by the proposed models to put the future plans to develop the tomato manufacturing and to export it processed and fresh. Using methodology of Box-Jenkins in the conclusion and the development of standard models to predict other crops, according to the actual development of the time series subjected to the study.

The effect of photoperiod and light quality on Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae) nymphal development, fecundity and longevity

Development time of immatures, fecundity, longevity and egg hatching of the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus were studied over three years under artificial lighting in growth chambers to assess if light quality and photoperiod could explain its poor establishment in winter tomato crops at northern latitudes. In the first year, the effect of photoperiod was assessed using fluorescent lamps (FLs) at 16L:8D, 13L:11D, 11L:13D and 8L:16D. In the second year, the effect of light quality was assessed by producing the 16L:8D photoperiod with FLs, high pressure sodium lamps (HPSLs) and HPSLs complemented with red (R) light emitting diodes (LEDs) (11+5h, HPSLs+R). In the third year, 16L:8D, 11L:13D, 8L:16D photoperiods were produced by HPSLs and 16L:8D with FLs. In all the treatments, females from the first, second and third generation oviposited, and their eggs hatched pointing that M. pygmaeus does not undergo reproductive diapause. In general, shorter photoperiods prolonged the development time of immatures regardless the light source, whereas fecundity increased with decreasing photoperiod irrespectively of light quality. In FLs, fecundity was significantly lower than in HPSLs alone or in HPSLs+R in one experiment, whereas light quality (FLs and HPSLs) did not affect fecundity in the other experiment. The results suggest that HPSLs as such do not adversely affect reproductive biology of the bug except for the pre-adult development time, and that part of the long photoperiod could be replaced with red LEDs without negatively affecting the bug’s biology. The 16-h light period produced by artificial lighting in year-round tomato production, however, is not optimal for the fecundity of M. pygmaeus, and fertility may also decrease. Further research is needed from greenhouse winter conditions where the bugs perceive and may respond also to the natural short photoperiod.

Morphological characters and dry mass production in winter tomato as affected by foliar application of plant growth regulators

A field experiment was conducted at the field laboratory of Crop Botany Department, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to study the effect of different levels of plant growth regulators, PGRs (GA3, NAA) on the growth and yield in two tomato varieties. The experiment was laid out in a three factorial randomized completely block design ( RCBD) with 16 treatments viz. 2 varieties (Ratan and Roma V.F.) × 2 PGRs (GA3, NAA) × 4 concentration levels of PGRs ( 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm). The result showed that tomato variety Ratan produced higher yield (3.92 kg plant−1) by increasing plant height, stem diameter at base, branch plant−1, leaves plant−1, fresh and dry weight of leaves, number of flowers plant−1 than the variety Roma V.F. (3.71 kg plant−1). PGRs enhanced plant height, number of leaves plant−1, fresh and dry weight of leaves, etc. A higher yield was observed in plants treated with GA3 (4.07 kg plant−1) than in the plants treated with NAA (3.55 kg plant−1). Among the concentrations of PGRs, 50 ppm exhibited better performances producing higher yield (5.02 kg plant−1). Interaction effects of variety, PGR and concentration showed that higher yield (5.06 kg plant−1) was derived from the variety Ratan when treated with 50 ppm of GA3.&#x0D; Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2016, 1 (3), 514-520

AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF THE CURRENT SITUATION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN ELWADY ELGEDID

Elwady Elgedid considered as a promising Governorate in the field of sustainable agricultural development. This research aims to identify the current situation of agricultural plant production, crop composition, as well as crop yield, Agricultural Animal Production and the change in the number of cattle. The future prospects of agricultural production are also estimated. Proposals and recommendations on how to exploit the available optimum utilization of agricultural resources are also stated. The results showed that the average crop area, the value of agricultural production, the agricultural income and agricultural employment of Elwady Elgedid Governorate represents about 1.3%, 0.4%, 0.05%, 0.12% 0.12%, of the total crop area, agricultural production value, the value of production inputs, agricultural income value, the number of agricultural workers of the Republic. Results also showed that wheat crop area and ​​production represents about 1.9% 1.5% of the area and production of wheat crop in the Republic. The area and production of faba bean crop represents about 4.9% to 4.3% of the area and ​​production of faba bean crop in the Republic. The area and production of the winter tomato crop represents about 1.4% 1.8% of the area and production of the winter tomato crop in the Republic. While the area and production of alfalfa represents about 65.8%, 65.8% of the area and the production of alfalfa in the Republic as an average of the period, while the area and the production of sesame crop represents about 0.49%, 0.36% of the area and production of sesame crop in the Republic as an average of the period. The area and production of maize represent around 0.34%, 0.07% of the area and production of maize crop in the Republic as an average of the period. For Animal Production, numbers of cattle buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, representing about 2.6%, 1.3%, 0.97%, respectively of the total number in the Republic. By studying the expectation of future agricultural production in Elwady Elgedid Governorate years 2015, 2016 and 2017 showed the following: The crop area, agricultural production, agricultural production inputs, agricultural income and agricultural workers will increase with an increase estimated at 1.05%, 3.1%, 3.3%, 3.5%, 0.07% respectively out of 2014, and the area of wheat, bean and alfalfa, will increase by 2.1%, 70.8%, 0.09% Respectively from 2014, while summer sesame area will fall by 55.2% from 2014. The expectation for the future productivity of bean, and winter tomatoes will rise by 5.7%, 14.9% respectively from 2014, while the maize, summer sesame and alfalfa production will drop by 0.3%, 5.9%, and 5.2% from 2014. Forecasting the future of summer bean production will rise by 44.5% from 2014, while summer sesame, tomato and alfalfa production will fall by 70.13%, 1.4%, 5.3 respectively out of 2014.While forecasting the future number of, sheep, goats will rise by 0.55%, 0.06% respectively while the number of cows, buffalo, and camels will go down by 1.9%, 9.1%,1.3% from 2014. The research recommends dissemination crops appropriate to soil conditions and the environment in all varieties preservation area, and creates herd's nucleus for each of goats, cows and sheep, in the form of model farms.