AGRONOMIC AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF SOME TOMATO GENOTYPES UNDER LATE SHORT GROWING SEASON CONDITIONS OF A TROPICAL DERIVED SAVANNA
JERRY E. ASIEGBU *
Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
VICTORIA C. NWOSU *
Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Seven gcnotypcs of exotic and local tomatoes were evaluated for late short growing season in a tropical derived savanna, under rainfed conditions.
Roma VF, Rossol VFN and Nsukka local appeared most adapted in overall vegetative growth and development. Percentage fruit-set was best with Rossol VFN and Roma VF while overall fruit yield was best with Nsukka local, Rossol VFN, Roma and Ibadan local, in that order. Quality attributes were on average better with the exotic genotypes compared to the two local unimproved selections. Overall, none of the geno tpes possessed a perfect combination of all the desired characteristics. Breeding programme should aim at combining the earliness and higher yield potentials of Nsukka local with the better fruit quality and other good attributes of the improved introductions in order to evolve a truly adapted variety.
Keywords: Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, Tomato genotypes, Latc season weather conditions, Tomato thriller