Surendra Lal Shrestha*, Raj Lal Sah* and J.Ghimire**
*Regional Agriculture Research Station, Parwanipur, Bara
**National Potato Research Program, Khumaltar
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major vegetable crops, which is grown during winter in Terai. Due to higher temperature and rainfall, its yield declines and price increases during summer season. Therefore, this experiment was conducted in three subsequent years to evaluate and identify the proper growth regulators for summer tomato production. Seven different treatments of growth regulators were applied two times on tomato plants; CV. Pusa Ruby. Vegetative and yield parameter were compared with control. Result showed that Vegimex 0.125 ml/L significantly increased average weight of fruit (8.8 g), yield (25.2%), and number of fruits per plant (7.6%) and followed by GA3 50 ppm which increased average weight of fruit (1.5 g), yield (17.3%), and number of fruits per plant (2.8%), respectively as compared to control. Economically, Vegimex @0.125 ml/L and GA3 50 ppm provided additional net benefit Rs. 81,972.00 and 69,250.00 per hectare. Hence, Vegimex @0.125 ml/L or GA350 ppm spraying improved the yield and quality of summer tomato production as compared to without any foliar application of growth regulators.
Keywords: Growth hormones, foliar spray, net benefit, summer tomato production