Evaluation of Agronomic Performance and Yield Related Attributes of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Varieties under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Pothwar Region

Abstract

Production and productivity of crop not only depends upon environmental factors or cultural practices, but also influenced by genotype adaptability to an area. Introduction of high yielding genotypes, their evaluation and acclimatization to a specific environment/location have an important role in crop improvement. Thus present study was conducted to evaluate growth and yield performance of five commercially cultivating determinate tomato varieties in the Pothwar region. Nursery raising, transplantation, growth and yield studies were done at the Vegetable section of Barani Agricultural Research Institute. From experimental findings, it was studied that Nadir variety performance was best among other varieties due to its genetic constitution along with favorable growing conditions that lead to maximum plant vigor, highest number of primary branches, number of flowers/cluster, fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm) and width (cm) and significant marketable yield (25.57 t/ha) with lowest non-marketable yield (0.68 t/ha). It also gives maximum gross return and benefit cost ratio (1.48) because of long shelf life and high market demand. Roma and Rio-grande are also considered as a potential varieties because of effective vegetative and reproductive growth, however Nagina and Naqeeb were least performing varieties as they yield more non-marketable fruit that marketable fruit along with production of smaller size fruits. On the basis of results, it is recommended that further 2-3 years performance evaluation of variety must be carried out to ensure its yield potential in Pothwar region.