Research Article
Bushra Bibi, Muhammad Sajid, A
Abstract
An experiment “Response of tomato cultivars to partial shade” was carried out at Ornamental Horticulture Nursery Farm, Department of Horticulture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar during 2010. The experiment consisted of providing shades (55 percent) and two tomato cultivars (Roma, Rio Grande). The partial shade effects were studied consecutively for three months i.e. from 1stApril, 1st May and 1stJune in comparison with control (full sun) and then remained till end of crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangement. Partial shade effects were studied on various growth parameters of tomato varieties. Maximum increase in plant height (101cm) was recorded in partial shade applied from April. Plant height in control (74.5cm), partial shade from May (74.1cm) and partial shade from June (75.4cm) was almost same. Maximum number of branches per plant was recorded in control (4.1), shade from May (4.1) and shade from June (4.2) while minimum number of branches per plant (3.2) was observed in shade from April. Maximum number flower cluster and flowers per cluster were recorded in control plots (12.6, 5.1) whereas minimum number was recorded in partial shade from April (5, 4.2) respectively. Maximum number of fruits per plant (19.3) was observed in full sun followed by partial shade in June (17.4) and then May (13.1). April shading had least number of fruits (7.4). Fruit size was not affected significantly by shade. Partial shade applied in April and May significantly reduced the yield compared to that applied in June and full sun. On the basis of the results it is concluded that shading tomato during summer is not recommended.