Influence of date of planting on seed yield and quality under two fertilizer levels in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from July, 1988 to February, 1989 to study the effect of date of planting on seed yield and quality under two fertility levels in tomato variety Sakthi (LE 79). The experiment was layout in a split plot design with three replications, as date of planting in the main plots and fertilizer levels in sub plots The date of planting had a significant impact on various growth and yield characters. The plant 'height and the number of secondary branches were maximum in October- planting. Inflorescence, clusters/ plant, flowers per cluster, fruits/cluster, pollen fertility and fruit set were also maximum in October planting followed by November planting. The February planted crops recorded, the lowest value, for these characters plots. The July' planting took longest time for crop duration while February planting registered the shortest duration. Fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant, average fruit weight and seed, yield/plant were higher in October planting followed by November planting. The lowest value for these characters was in February crop. The high level of fertilization (NPK 150:60:60 kg/ha) brought a significant improvement on these characters.