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Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

ISSN: 2276-7770; ICV: 6.15

Vol. 7 (5), pp. 120-125, July 2017

Copyright ©2017, the copyright of this article is retained by the author(s)

http://gjournals.org/GJAS

 

 

 

Research Article (DOI: http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2017.5.032317045)

 

Study on Performance Evaluation of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties Under Off-Season Condition at Teppi, South Western Part of Ethiopia

 

 

Shamil Alo*1, Abebe Gezahegn2, Wakjira Getachew3

 

 

1 & 3Teppi  National Spices  Research Center, Po.Box 34, Teppi, Ethiopia.

2Melkassa Agricultural Research Center,P.o.Box 436 ,Adama,Ethiopia.

 

 

 

ARTICLE INFO

ABSTRACT

 

Article No.: 032317045

DOI: 10.15580/GJAS.2017.5.032317045

 

The cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is world’s second most important vegetable after potato in terms of production. The major tomato producing regions of Ethiopia are Oromiya, Amhara, Tigray and S.N.N.P.  The crop is cultivated under irrigation largely in the rift valley areas.

Ten released tomato varieties of different growth habit and type were brought from Melkassa agricultural research center and evaluated  in randomized complete block design with three replication during 2007 and 2008 cropping season at Teppi. The experiment was carried out to test the adaptability of improved tomato varieties and identify and select the best high yielding and pest and disease resistant/ tolerant variety/ies for target area . The mean yield was ranged from 168.16 for Bishola to 256.2 for melka salsa.Based on mean yield,Melka salsa,Challi,Fetan,Metadel,Cochoro and Miya gave highest yield.The mean days to 50% flowering was ranged 54.333 for Miya to 83.667 days for Bishola. The mean days to 50% fruit setting was ranged 72.333 for Melkashola to 80 days for Eshet. The mean number of fruits per cluster was ranged 2.1333 for Challi to 2.9333 for Metadel and Miya. The mean number of cluster per plant was ranged 8.267 for Fetan to 17.6 for Melkasalsa.The mean marketable yield kg/plot ranged from 7.567 for Bishola to 15.23 for Challi. The mean unmarketable yield kg/plot ranged from 3.33 for Melkashola to 6.3533 for Fetan. The mean total yield kg/plot ranged from 13.117 for Bishola to 20.113 for Challi. The mean Average fruit weight was ranged from 41.444 for Melkasalsa to 167.444 for Bishola. Challi,Fetan,Metadel,Cochoro,Miya and ARP are more suitable for farmers due to their large fruit size.Further study should be carried out with  improved varieties to improve tomato production  under well established irrigation facility and disease and insect pest control.

 

 

Submitted: 23/03/2017

Accepted: 28/03/2017

Published: 30/07/2017

 

*Corresponding Author

Shamil Alo

E-mail: shamilalo99 @ gmail.com

 

 

Keywords:

Adaptability, Improved Tomato Varieties, Teppi

 

 

 

 

 

1.   INTRODUCTION 

The cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is world’s second most important vegetable after potato in terms of production (Yibekal, 2009)[1] The major tomato producing regions of Ethiopia are Oromiya, Amhara, Tigray and S.N.N.P.  The crop is cultivated under irrigation largely in the rift valley areas. The bulk of tomato production in the country is concentrated in river valleys and lakes especially in the Awash Valley. The crop is also produced in rainfed condition in some regions of the country. According to [2] report, the area coverage in tomato during meher season is around 7237.35ha with total production of 55, 5742.79q where Oromiya region being the highest in area coverage followed by S.N.N.P., Amhara and Tigray regions. 

Considering the significant value of the crop, emphasis has been given by the national vegetable crops research program in the country to improve yield and quality of fresh market and processing tomato in order to satisfy the demands of both local and export markets.[3] A number of improved varieties and other agronomic packages have been recommended resulting in improvement of production and productivity of the crop in Ethiopia. But Still the national average yield of tomato in Ethiopia is 7.6 ton/ha   [2] which is incomparable with the average yield of other countries such as China, USA, Turkey, India, Egypt, Italy and Spain with average yield of 22.67, 80.61, 35.81, 18.61, 40.00 and 76.35 ton/ha in that order [4] 

With the start of tomato research in the late 1969 to 2000, different tomato lines were imported from different seed companies and AVRDC and tested in different seasons such as rainy season, dry season and across locations in various research centers with the aim to identify cultivars that are suitable to different growing seasons and locations.  Processing types with high stand establishment and survival rate were found both in the dry-season and rainy season, but the yield potential in the dry season was superior to that in the rainy season [3] .   But ,  then  after , variety development has been conducted mainly in central rift valley areas in the dry season and limited information is available regarding performance of the released tomato varieties in different agro-ecologies especially under rainfed conditions.

Currently, tomato production is concentrated in the dry season using irrigation mainly in the central rift valley areas of Ethiopia resulting in frequent price fluctuation. Some farmers in Oromiya, S.N.N.P., Amhara and Tigray regions use to produce tomato in rainfed condition [2]. Therefore, information regarding the performance in productivity of released tomato varieties in different agro-ecologies under irrigated and rainfed condition aids to recommend tomato varieties with better performance for different production seasons. To advance improvement of crop productivity in different localities, continual identification of the best and suitable crop technologies appeared to be essential. This can be achieved, through adaptability tests and generation of new technologies.

Keeping this in view, the present study was conducted at Teppi National Spices Research Center  to test the performance of released tomato  varieties for their adaptability in different agro-ecologies under irrigated condition.

 

 

2.   MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1.      Experimental Site

The experiment was conducted at Teppi National Spices Research Center 1.5 km away from main Teppi town,during 2015/2016 cropping seasons.Teppi located in south western Ethiopia in SNNP Regional State at an elevation of 1200 meter above sea level and it is situated at Latitude of 7o 10, 54.5,, and with a Longitude of 35o 25, 04.3-28.2,, E of Ethiopia.The research station receive an annual average rainfall of 1559 mm with maximum and minimum temperatures of 29.7oc  and 15.5oc ,respectively.The soil of experimental site is reddish brown sandy clay loam classified as nitosol with PH range of 5.60 to 6.0(GISAM,2012)

 

2.2.      Experimental Materials and Design

The experiment was based on ten released varieties of  tomato  which were obtained from Melkassa Agricultural Research center. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used to conduct the experiment. Seeds were planted on seed bed by drilling and were thinned to 5cm and 15cm between plants and between rows respectively 1 week after emergence and transplanted to main field after 30 days in spacing of 30cm and 100cm between plants and between rows respectively. The inter row spacing was 1m, while the intra row spacing was 0.3m, giving population density of 33333.33 plants per hectare. Fertilizers were applied at the rate of 200/100 kg/ha DAP/Urea. Urea was applied in split (half at planting and the other half at 1&1/2 month after transplanting). Description of the experimental materials with their yield potential is shown in Table-1 below.

 

 

 

2.3.      Data Collected

The middle two rows (7.8m2) were used for data collection and harvested at maturity. Individual plant base data as well as plot base data were collected on Twelve traits of tomato varieties. Data collected  were,  stand count at 1&1/2 after transplanting, stand count at harvest,  50 % days to flowering,  no of fruits/cluster,  marketable fruit number and yield at each harvest (kg)/plot,  unmarketable fruit number and yield kg/plot at each harvest ( insect damaged, decayed, sunburn, bird damaged, cat face, blossom end rot, crack,  zipper and others), Fruit quality  (average  weight (gm) of 10 representative  fruits, juice volume (ml) of same fruits, TSS% , firmness, color and shape) were determined at pick harvesting time usually at second or third harvest. Disease incidence and severity was determined using established procedure. Some important metrological data including mean monthly rain fall (mm), mean maximum and minimum monthly temperature, mean % relative humidity and soil type were recorded.

 

2.4.      Statistical Analysis

All necessary data were recorded and being subjected to analysis . Analysis of variance was performed using the ANOVA procedure of SAS Statistical Software . Effects were considered significant in all statistical if the P-values were < 0.05. Means were separated using Least significant difference test.

 

 

3.   RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The analysis of variance for the 10 characters studied is given in Table 2. All the characters showed significant (p<0.05 ) difference among the tested varieties. The significance of varieties difference indicates the presence of variability for each of the characters among the tested entries..

Statistical analysis showed significant differences for  yield among the varieties. The mean yield was ranged from 168.16 for Bishola to 256.2 for melka salsa.Based on mean yield,Melka salsa,Challi,Fetan,Metadel,Cochoro and Miya gave highest yield.The mean days to 50% flowering was ranged 54.333 for Miya to 83.667 days for Bishola. The mean days to 50% fruit setting was ranged 72.333 for Melkashola to 80 days for Eshet. The mean number of fruits per cluster was ranged 2.1333 for Challi to 2.9333 for Metadel and Miya. The mean number of cluster per plant was ranged 8.267 for Fetan to 17.6 for Melkasalsa.The mean marketable yield kg/plot ranged from 7.567 for Bishola to 15.23 for Challi. The mean unmarketable yield kg/plot ranged from 3.33 for Melkashola to 6.3533 for Fetan. The mean total yield kg/plot ranged from 13.117 for Bishola to 20.113 for Challi. The mean Average fruit weight was ranged from 41.444 for Melkasalsa to 167.444 for Bishola.

            All varieties showed significant difference for 50% flowering ,50% fruit setting,number of fruit per cluster,number of cluster per plant,marketable yield kg/plot,un marketable yield kg/plot,total yield q/ha and average fruit weight. Melkasalsa,Challi,Fetan,Metadel,Miya and Cochoro, gave highest  yield followed by Melkashola,Eshet and  Bishola  respectively. Melkssalsa have highest number of fruits per cluster followed by Melkashola.Miya and Melkasalsa have highest number of cluter per plant followed by Melkashola and cochoro.Melkasalsa and Challi  gave highest yield quintal per hectare.Bishola and Cochoro have highest average fruit weight followed by Metadel and Challi. Fruit yield per hectare showed significant difference among the varieties.The highest marketable yield was obtained by Melka salsa and the least yield was recorded by Bishola.This result is in line with the result which reported by [5]

 

 

 

         4. SUMMERY AND CONCLUSION

 

The cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is world’s second most important vegetable after potato in terms of production [1]. The major tomato producing regions of Ethiopia are Oromiya, Amhara, Tigray and S.N.N.P.  According to [2] report, the area coverage in tomato during meher season is around 7237.35ha with total production of 55, 5742.79q where Oromiya region being the highest in area coverage followed by S.N.N.P., Amhara and Tigray regions. 

A number of improved varieties and other agronomic packages have been recommended resulting in improvement of production and productivity of the crop in Ethiopia. But Still the national average yield of tomato in Ethiopia is 7.6 ton/ha   [2]  which is incomparable with the average yield of other countries such as China, USA, Turkey, India, Egypt, Italy and Spain with average yield of 22.67, 80.61, 35.81, 18.61, 40.00 and 76.35 ton/ha in that order [4]. 

With the start of tomato research in the late 1969 to 2000, different tomato lines were imported from different seed companies and AVRDC and tested in different seasons such as rainy season, dry season and across locations in various research centers with the aim to identify cultivars that are suitable to different growing seasons and locations.  These resulted in the recommendation of several tomato varieties for the tomato  growing regions of the country .

To advance improvement of crop productivity in different localities, continual identification of the best and suitable crop technologies appeared to be essential. This can be achieved, through adaptability tests and generation of new technologies.

Ten released tomato varieties were tasted at Teppi ARC in randomized complete block design with three replication during 2007/2008 cropping season. The experiment was carried out to test the adaptability of improved tomato  varieties and identify and select the best high yielding, pest and disease resistant/tolerant variety/ies for the target area.

Significance differences were observed for yield and 9 characters studied( days to 50% flowering, days to 50% fruit setting,number of fruits per cluster,number of cluster per plant,marketable yield kg/plot,unmarketable yield kg/plot,total yield kg/plot,total yield qt/ha,firmness,average fruit weight).

The mean yield was ranged from 168.16 for Bishola to 256.2 for melka salsa.Based on mean yield,Melka salsa,Challi,Fetan,Metadel,Cochoro and Miya gave highest yield.The mean days to 50% flowering was ranged 54.333 for Miya to 83.667 days for Bishola. The mean days to 50% fruit setting was ranged 72.333 for Melkashola to 80 days for Eshet. The mean number of fruits per cluster was ranged 2.1333 for Challi to 2.9333 for Metadel and Miya. The mean number of cluster per plant was ranged 8.267 for Fetan to 17.6 for Melkasalsa.The mean marketable yield kg/plot ranged from 7.567 for Bishola to 15.23 for Challi. The mean unmarketable yield kg/plot ranged from 3.33 for Melkashola to 6.3533 for Fetan. The mean total yield kg/plot ranged from 13.117 for Bishola to 20.113 for Challi. The mean Average fruit weight was ranged from 41.444 for Melkasalsa to 167.444 for Bishola. In general Melka salsa,Challi,Fetan,Metadel,Cochoro,Miya and ARP had high yield than other varieties. Melka salsa, Challi,Fetan and Metadel are more suitable for farmers due to their highest tield compared to other varieties.Further study should be carried out with  improved varieties to improve tomato production  under well established irrigation facility and disease and insect pest control.

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLDGEMENTS

 

My special thanks go to Teppi National Spices Research Center for financial support. Grateful acknowledgements are also due  all staff members for their strong moral and technical support.

 

 

5. REFERENCES

 

[1] Yibekal, A.A. (2009). Managing the soil water balance of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to improve water productivity. University of Pretoria, the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Horticultural Science

[2] CSA.  (2013). Report on area and production of major crops.  Statistical bulletin.

[3] Lemma, D. (2002). Tomato research experiences and production prospects, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization Research report, No.43

[4] FAOSTAT. 2010. Rom United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

[5] Shushay C, and Haile Z.Evaluation of Tomato varieties for fruit yield and yield components in western lowland of Tigray,Northern Ethiopia.

 

 

 

Cite this Article: Shamil A, Abebe G, Wakjira G (2017). Study on Performance Evaluation of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties Under Off-Season Condition at Teppi, South Western Part of Ethiopia. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 7(5): 120-125, http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2017.5.032317045.