PERFORMANCE OF TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM L.) AS INFLUENCED BY TRANSPLANTING TIMES AND CULTIVATION METHODS IN FOOTHILLS OF

Abstract

Performance of tomato to different dates of transplanting viz., 2nd and 3rd week of August, 2nd and 3rd week of September and 2nd week of October with 4 cultivation methods viz., plain bed, plain bed with staking, raised bed and raised bed with staking were studied on sandy loam soil during 2002-2003. Results showed that transplanting in second week of August recorded the highest yield (317.49 q/ha), followed by 3rd week of August (304.67 q/ha) which was significantly superior as compared to 2nd and 3rd week of September transplanting (290.32 and 282.16 q/ha, respectively). Late transplanting significantly reduced fruit weight, number of fruits whereas crop stand showed improvements. In both plain and raised bed with staking significantly reduced the unmarketable yield. Cultivation methods had no influence on crop stand and number of locule/fruit. Raised bed with staking method maximum plant height (93.69 cm), fruit (46.32) and yield (286.17 q/ha) which were significantly superior as compared to plain bed.