Impact of seedling age and planting time on yield performance of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) in upland rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system

Abstract

A study was conducted during the winter season of 1994-95 and 1995-96 in upland rice (Ofyza sativa L.) fallows to evaluate the impact of seedling age and planting time on the fruit yield performance of different varieties (BT la, BT 12, BT 1O, BT 2 and MIX ENT) of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill.). All the varieties performed well when planted early, i.e. 16 November, with 15-day- old seedlings and showed a declining trend in fruit yield and other yield- attributing characters when planted late with aged seedlings. Among the tomato varieties, a remarkably good fruit yield of 60.7 and 47.0 tonnestha was recorded with BT 18 during 1994-95 and 1995-96 respectively when planted on 16 -, November with 15 day-old-seedlings, followed by BT 12 (59.7.and 41.9 tonnest ha during 1994-95 and 1995-96) respectively. The economics of diferent tomato . varieties also showed the same trend. The gross return, net return and net return/ rupee invested were always recorded highest with BT 18, followed by BT 12 irrespective of seedling age and planting time.