Effects of planting density and NPK fertilizer application on yield and yield components of tomato (Lycospersicon esculentum Mill) in forest location.

摘要

The effect of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on two cultivars were investigated in two field trials in 2003 and 2004 cropping seasons at Evboneka to determine the optimum planting density and fertilizer rate. Roma VF 3900 and Roma VF 5-80-285 tomato cultivars were grown at three planting densities (33333, 41667 and 55555 plants per hectare) and three levels of NPK fertilizer (0, 200 and 400 kg ha-1). The trials revealed that a combination of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application increased the productivity of tomato as they positively influenced the plant height at maturity, days to 50% flowering, fruit yield and % marketable yield. However, the treatment combinations do not significantly affect days to flowering. The plots without fertilizer application had the least values in all the measured parameters. However, as fertilizer application rate increases, all measured parameters also increased up to the highest level. From the trials, a combination of 55555 plants per hectare and 400 kg NPK ha-1 gave the highest significant yield of 38.90 t ha-1 and 35 t ha-1 from Roma VF 3900 and Roma VF 5-80-285, respectively. The highest % marketable yield was also obtained from the same combination with both cultivars.