Evaluation of Cherry Tomatoes under Shade Net for Growth and Yield Attributes

A field experiment was conducted during early kharif, 2013 at HC&RI, Anantharajupeta to study growth, yield parameters on eleven genotypes (IIHR-2871, IIHR-2872, IIHR-2873, IIHR-2751, IIHR-2753, IIHR-2876, Laila, Roja, Ruhi, Sheeja, and AFA 602) of cherry tomato. The plants were extremely indeterminate. Maximum plant height recorded by Rojafollowed by Laila. The highestnumber of primary branches per plant recorded in sheeja followed by IIHR-2876. The genotype AFA 602 took significantly minimum number of days for first flower initiation and minimum days to first fruit harvest. IIHR-2872 took least number of days for 50 per cent plants to flower and said to be an early genotype followed by Roja. Highest number of flowers per cluster, maximum number of fruits cluster, maximum number of fruiting clusters per plant and highest fruit set percentage was noticed in the genotype Sheeja. Fruit shape index was found maximum in Sheeja followed by Laila and Roja due to the oval shape of these fruits. Highest fruit volume was recorded in IIHR-2872 followed by IIHR-2751. The highest mean fruit yield per plant, highest fruit yield per plot and fruit yield per hectare was recorded in AFA-602 followed by Sheeja. The cherry tomato genotypes, AFA602 and Sheeja outperformed other genotypes in terms of yield when grown during early kharif under 50 per cent shade net. The genotypes, AFA 602, Sheeja and Roja were found to be early maturing.