Effect of Transplanting Dates and Nitrogen Levels on Yield Attributes of Tomato in Temperate Region of Kashmir

Author: Fouzea Nisar, Shahnaz Mufti, Bilal Lone, Insha Majid, Baseerat Afroza, Faheema Mushtaq, Shaila din, Janeesa Nabi and Insha Javeed

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Abstract

A field investigation was undertaken during kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021 at Vegetable Experimental Farm of Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar with an objective to study the effect of different dates of planting and different levels of nitrogen in Kashmir region. The experiment was setup in 3×5 factorial design with 3 dates of transplanting (30th April, 14th May and 28th May) as main plot treatments and 5 levels of nitrogen as sub plot treatments (80, 100, 120 140 and 160 kg ha-1) during two consecutive Kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021. The experimental results showed that different planting dates and nitrogen levels showed significant influence on reproductive characters of tomato including fruit yield. The pooled data regarding yield attributing parameters viz., fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, fruit yield was found to be maximum when crop was transplanted on 14th May during both consecutive seasons recording the values of 6.52cm, 4.50cm, 18.98, 41.62 g and 295.72 q ha-1 respectively with nitrogen application of 100kg per ha recording the values of 6.80cm for fruit length, 4.71 cm for fruit diameter, 19.51 for number of fruits per plant, 42.28 g for average fruit weight and 282.11 q ha-1 for fruit yield which was significantly superior to all other treatments but statistically at par with 120 kg nitrogen application during both the seasons. Despite the fact that tomato production appears to be increasing over the years, yield continues to fall due to poor cultural practices, particularly the use of N doses and transplanting dates. If planting time coincides with optimal ecological conditions for better germination, it may result in better plant development and, as a result, it may lead to a higher yield of high-quality fruits. As a result, increase in yield through N dose manipulation and determining the optimal transplanting date is critical so that the plants are exposed to favourable environmental conditions during their growth period for fruit set and higher total yield. In light of the foregoing facts, a site-specific demonstrative trial was conducted at the SKUAST-K experimental field in Shalimar.

Keywords

Transplanting dates, Nitrogen, main plot, reproductive characters, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit yield

Conclusion

It can be concluded that yield attributes were improved when the crop was transplanted on 14th May with application of 100kg of nitrogen per ha which was statistically at par with 120 kg N per ha during both the seasons. Suitable N fertilizer rate (NFR) and ideal planting date (PD) increased and improved source-to-sink relationship and dry matter accumulation, which is a component for increasing the fruit yield and profitability of the crop. Agronomic adjustment in N fertilization and PD would enhance resource use efficiency.

References

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How to cite this article

Fouzea Nisar, Shahnaz Mufti, Bilal Lone, Insha Majid, Baseerat Afroza, Faheema Mushtaq, Shaila din, Janeesa Nabi and Insha Javeed (2023). Effect of Transplanting Dates and Nitrogen Levels on Yield Attributes of Tomato in Temperate Region of Kashmir. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 72-77.