Response of growth and yield characters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties to nitrogen rates during the rainy season
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and the National Institute for Horticultural Research (NIHORT) sub-station, Bagauda, Kano, during 2014 rainy season to investigate the performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties during rainy season under different Nitrogen regimes. The treatment consisted of three varieties (Icrixina, RomaVF and UC82B) and four Nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1) factorially combinedand they were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated three times. Application of nitrogen fertilizer significantly (P≤ 0.05) affected number of fruits plant-1, average fruit weight, marketable fruit yield and fruit yield hectare-1 at both locations but did not significantly affect chlorophyll content (μg), leaf area, number of cracked fruits, blossom end rot and non-marketable fruit yield. Varietal differences were significant on leaf area and chlorophyll content at Bagauda. Number of fruit plant-1, average fruit weight, number of cracked fruits, marketable fruit yield and yield hectare-1 were significant (P≤ 0.05) at BUK. No significant differences (P≤ 0.05) were observed among the varieties for leaf area, blossom end rot and non-marketable fruit yield at Bagauda. Application of 150 kg N ha-1 resulted in significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher fruit yield. The varieties Icrixina and RomaVF had more fruit yield compared to UC82B. Therefore, 150 kg N ha-1 is suggested for Icrixina and RomaVF varieties, respectively.
Keywords: Heat tolerant, Susceptible, Solanum lycopersicum, Nitrogen and Rainy Season
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