<div>Background: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable, one of the most important vegetables worldwide. There is high demand for tomato planting materials (seeds) in Nigeria.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Experiment was conducted at the Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria (7&deg;, 25&#39;N, 3&deg;25&#39;E, 100 m above sea level) to examine growth, fruit characteristics as well as seed yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), cultivar Roma VF&nbsp;in response to fertilizer treatments. Fertilizer types used were, NPK 15:15:15 (300 kg/ha), Poultry manure (10 t/ha), combination of NPK 15:15:15 (150 kg/ha) + Poultry manure (5 t/ha) and a control. Treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were taken on number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, number of branches, number of flowers, number of fruits, fruit length, fruit width, fruit yield, unit fruit weight, number and weight of seeds per fruit. Fruit characteristics were correlated with seed yield to determine the relationship between them. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated with least significant difference (LSD 0.05).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Tomato fruits from plots that received a combination of NPK 15:15:15 (150 kg/ha) and Poultry manure had higher fruit yield (5 t/ha) and by inference higher number of seeds, compared with the control. Correlation of fruit weight with number of seeds showed that the higher the fruit weight, the higher the number of seeds per fruit. Fruit length had positive correlation with plant height and fruit diameter. Number of leaves determines fruit weight which invariably determines number and weight of seeds. High number of leaves resulted in low seed weight</div>

Growth, Fruit Characteristics and Seed Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Response to Fertilizer Application

<div style="text-align: justify;">Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is a horticultural commodity with high economic value. However, serious disease management is needed to get good production with better fruit quality. &nbsp;Wilt disease caused by Fusarium is constraining &nbsp;tomato production. This study was aimed to measure the effectiveness the use of Gliocladium fimbriatum and Trichoderma viride to control fusarium wilt disease. This study was conducted in Food Crop and Holticultural Plant Protection Institute of West Papua and Laboratory of Plant Diseases of Agricultural Faculty, Papua University, Manokwari. This study was designed using factorial complete randomized design consisting of two treatment factors and repeated three times. The experiment findings indicated that servo variety was better compared to other tested varieties as indicated by better plant height, low fusarium wilt disease intensity, and higher fruits quantity and weight. Trichoderma and Gliocladium were capable of controlling the development of fusarium wilt disease in tomatoes plant, but the effectiveness of Trichoderma (53.68%) was better controlling the pathogen compared to Gliocladium (48.89%). Interaction between the treatments of Servo variety and fungi Trichoderma resulted in better effect both to lower disease intensity and higher fruits quantity and weight.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The effectiveness of fungi Gliocladiumfimbriatum and Trichoderma viride to control fusarium wilt disease of tomatoes &nbsp;(Lycopersicum esculentum)</div>

Background: Cherry tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var. cerasiforme Mill.] belonging to Solanaceae family, having chromosome number 2n=2x=24 is a table purpose tomato with small fruits of bright red colour bearing resemblance to a cherry. With ever increasing demand of cherry tomato in both fresh market and processing industries there is a need to make the crop both agronomically and economically more desirable. Therefore, cherry tomatoes present great future in breeding programmes for bringing about the required improvements and hence it is necessary to evaluate the germplasm and select genotypes which are high yielding and disease resistant. 
 
Methods: Genetic diversity for growth and quality traits in twenty four genotypes of cherry tomato was studied under mid hills of Kullu valley (32.2oN latitude 77oE longitude), Himachal Pradesh during kharif season of 2020. Observations with respect to morphological and physicochemical characters were recorded on five randomly selected plants from each plot in each replication and their means were worked out for statistical analysis. 
 
Result: The genetic variability in general indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied; however, the difference was very narrow. For number of branches per plant, days to per cent flowering, number of cluster per plant number of seeds per plant, total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity the difference was very high, indicating the role of environment in expression of these characters. The heritability and genetic gain were high for number of fruits per cluster and fruit yield per plant. High heritability along with moderate genetic gain was observed for total number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight. Fruit yield per plant had significant and positive correlation with total number of fruits per plant, number of fruit clusters, average weight, pericarp thickness and titratable acidity. Positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant was highest from total number of fruits per plant followed by pericarp thickness, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, TSS, number of branches, titratable acidity, average fruit weight, fruit shape index and number of seeds. Based on analysis of genetic divergence through Mahalanobis D2&nbsp;statistics, the genotypes were divided into four different clusters and the cluster III and IV had the genotypes with the requisite traits for future improvement of yield. 
&nbsp;

<div>Studies on Genetic Diversity and Interdependence of Growth and Quality Traits in Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var cerasiforme Mill.]</div>

Background: The ambition of nanoparticles in agriculture is to reduce the amount of spread chemicals, minimize nutrient losses in fertilization and increased yield through pest and nutrient management. The recent advances in nanotechnology and its use in the field of agriculture are astonishingly increasing therefore it is tempting to evaluate the effect of different nanoparticles on growth and yield contributing characters in tomato. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar during Rabi season 2019-2020 which consisted of 13 treatments of three nanoparticles, viz. Zn, Fe and Ag at four different concentrations.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that among different concentration of nanoparticles, seed treated with 800 ppm Zn NPs solution for 4 hours significantly improved the growth and yield characteristics in comparison to control. Similarly, Fe and Ag NPs also significantly influenced the growth and yield attributes but at increasing concentration showed decreasing trend for these characters. Thus, it can be inferred that employing Zn nanoparticles as seed treatment could increase in growth and yield contributing attributes at higher concentration in tomato.

​Influence of Zn, Fe and Ag Nanoparticles on Growth, Yield Attributes and Profitability in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum mill)

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of potassium humate and rice husk biochar on cherry tomatoes&rsquo; key soil chemical properties, yield and quality parameters.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted in the Can Tho University Department of Soil Science&rsquo;s greenhouse. Experimental soil is alluvial soil collected in Tra On, Vinh Long. Two seasons (Summer-Autumn 2020 and Autumn-Winter 2020) were used for the experiment. The experiment design was completely randomized (CRD), with two factors: 9 treatments (corresponding to 9 fertilizer formulas), 4 replications and 4 plants each. Factor A (FA) is 3 levels of biochar rice husk application: 0 tons/ha (B0), 2.5 tons/ha (B1) and 5 tons/ha (B2). Factor B (FB) is 3 levels of potassium humate: 0 kg/ha (K0), 50 kg/ha (K1) and 100 kg/ha (K2). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Soil Science, Can Tho University, using alluvial soil collected from Tra On, Vinh Long. The study spanned two growing seasons (Summer-Autumn 2020 and Autumn-Winter 2020). A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with two factors and four replications. Factor A comprised three levels of rice husk biochar application: 0 tons/ha (B0), 2.5 tons/ha (B1) and 5 tons/ha (B2). Factor B consisted of three levels of potassium humate: 0 kg/ha (K0), 50 kg/ha (K1) and 100 kg/ha (K2), resulting in nine treatment combinations. Each replication contained four plants. 
 
Result: The experimental results showed that adding rice husk biochar and potassium humate improved soil P. Compared to the control (no biochar, no potassium humate), they significantly and statistically enhanced the amount of accessible nutrients (N, P and K) in the soil. The number of fruits/plants, fruit diameter, fruit yield, and percentage of Brix all significantly increased when cherry tomatoes were continuously monitored for growth, yield, and quality during both growing seasons while being treated with biochar husk and potassium humate. These results were statistically different from those of the control. The analysis of nitrate in tomato fruit showed that the nitrate of fruit was 23.45-24.94 (mg NO3-/kg fresh fruit), not exceeding the allowable threshold of 150 (mg NO3-/kg fresh fruit), and applying rice husk biochar and potassium humate significantly improved soil chemical properties compared to the control treatment. Notably, the soil&rsquo;s availability of essential nutrients (N, P and K) was enhanced. Treatments with biochar and potassium humate throughout both growing seasons resulted in statistically significant improvements in various plant parameters, including fruit number per plant, diameter, total yield, and Brix content compared to the control. Fruit nitrate content ranged from 23.45 to 24.94 mg NO3-/kg fresh weight, remaining well below the regulatory threshold of 150 mg NO3-/kg fresh weight.

Effect of Rice Husk Biochar and Potassium Humate on the Change of Soil Chemical Properties, Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

<div>Background: Changes in the climate of the world coupled with the indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers are causing great challenges in agricultural production systems. However, such problems could be tackled by using bio-stimulants leading to the advancement of sustainable production. Thus, the current study was conducted with the purpose of improving quality traits and fruiting potential of tomato plants using albitbr&nbsp;bio-stimulant. 
 
Methods: The study involved seven doses of the albitbr&nbsp;bio-stimulant (0.1 L ha-1, 0.5 L ha-1, 1 L ha-1, 2.5 L ha-1, 5 L ha-1, 10 L ha-1&nbsp;and 50 L ha-1) applied on four tomato cultivars (Malets, Revansh, Talisman and Fonaric) to be compared against the control (lone water). The field was designed in a randomized block design and each treatment was replicated three times. Two plants were randomly selected from each plot for data collection. 
 
Result: Results indicated that Fonaric cultivar produced the highest significant values of carotenoid pigments, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll. In addition to this, the highest significant values of number of fruiting trusses per plant and number of fruits per truss were obtained from Malets cultivar. Albitbr&nbsp;bio-stimulant application resulted into significant differences on most of the parameters. Albitbr&nbsp;applied at 5 L ha-1&nbsp;produced the highest significant values of total chlorophyll (1.966 mg g-1), chlorophyll b (0.759 mg g-1), number of fruits per truss (3.812) beta carotene (2.509 mg 100 g-1) whereas the highest levels of chlorophyll a (1.263 mg g-1) and lycopene (15.45 mg 100 g-1) were obtained from 2.5 L ha-1&nbsp;and 10 L ha-1&nbsp;respectively.</div>

Developmental and Quality Traits of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill.) Cultivars as Affected by Albitbr Bio-stimulant

<div>Background: One of the most discussed topics in the modern era is environmental degradation. One of the primary effects of industrialization and urbanization is the overproduction of wastes in all forms, some of which are totally contaminated with heavy metals and dangerous chemicals. The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soil, which may have some extremely negative impacts on the soil, plants and human beings, is one of the world&rsquo;s major challenges. The main purpose of this research was to investigate the buildup and distribution of heavy metals zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) and their impact on several physiological and growth parameters of the tomato plant (Lycopersicum esculentum). 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The tomato crop was cultivated in varying concentrations of Zn (50, 70 and 90 mg/kg soil) and Cu (40, 60 and 75 mg/kg soil) in relation to their root length, number of leaves and other fundamental growth and physiology. 
&nbsp; 
Result: It was observed that 0, 18, 36 and 54 days after sowing (DAS) monitored the adverse effect of metal on physiological parameters. The concentration of heavy metals in the shoots, leaves, fruits and roots of the plants was measured using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. The growth characteristics, chlorophyll contents and other physiological parameters of plants were found to be negatively impacted by a rise in the concentration of both heavy metals.</div>

Effect of Heavy Metals Zn and Cu on Growth Parameters of Lycopersicum esculentum

<div>Background: Organic agricultural inputs are getting immense importance for enhancing growth, yield and nutritional value of the crop. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of soil application of different doses of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) on the growth parameters of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plant.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: FPH treatment were applied through soil application in three different doses such as 0.5 mL, 2.0 mL and 5.0 mL diluted into 2 liters of water and one control group was maintained that did not receive any FPH but only equal amount of water. The growth parameters in terms of fruit yield, shoot morphology and root morphology were studied. The 0.5 ml dose resulted in the 48% increase in the yield to tomatoes. The dose proportional linear increase in the tomato yield was not observed. All the doses of FPH showed increase in the fresh shoot weight as compared to control, however differentiation with different doses was not profound.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The optimal dose of 0.5 ml showed significantly positive effect on the root morphology. However, the highest dose of 5.0 ml resulted in the negative effect on the root development. This research work demonstrated that optimal dose of the organic biostimulant FPH can help to increase the yield of tomato.</div>

<div>Efficacy of Organic Biostimulant (Fish Protein Hydrolyzate) on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)</div>

<div>Background: Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crop grown in the world. Identification of better genotypes among the existing germplasm leads to the success of&nbsp; breeding programme. Elite genotypes should be known for our trait of interest. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Vegetable Experimental Field, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar during Kharif-2018 in which twenty seven genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were evaluated to estimate the performance of genotypes on various quality traits like lycopene content, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids and juice to pulp ratio. 
 
Result: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits under studied. Highest lycopene content was recorded in the genotypes 2015/TODHYB-1, Roma and VRT-19 Whereas highest TSS content was exhibited by Kashi Aman, Roma, Jawahar-99 and Shalimar Hybrid Tomato-1. Highest titrable acidity recorded in Marglobe followed by 2015/TODHYB-4 and Kashi Hemanth. Juice to pulp ratio was highest in the genotypes namely, 2016/TODVAR-5 and Kashi Vishesh. Hence, the best performed genotypes can be used as such in promotion of tomato production programme as elite germplasm lines/varieties or may be recommended for commercial cultivation after testing them over years and locations.</div>

Evaluation of Various Genotypes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) on Quality Traits under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Judicious application of inorganic fertilizers is very essential to obtain high yields of improved crop varieties. But the liberal and continuous application of inorganic fertilizers under intensive crop production systems resulted in multiple nutrient deficiency in the soil besides causing imbalance in soil physico-chemical properties. Further the increased use of inorganic fertilizers resulted in diminishing soil fertility and unsustainable crop yields, besides creating additional problems in soil such as soil acidity, alkalinity, soil and ground water pollution. Organic agriculture is environment friendly, ecological production system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Organic materials such as compost, vermicompost, poultry manure, oilcakes, green manures and crop residues can substitute inorganic fertilizers to maintain productivity and environmental quality. The quality of agricultural produce, particularly horticultural produce viz., vegetables, flowers and fruits get improves when the nutrients are supplied through organic manures than in the form of fertilizers.&nbsp; 
Methods: Keeping all above information in view, a present experiment was carried out to study the effect of application of different ratio of vermicompost amended with soil on the growth, yield and quality of tomato crop (Lycopersican esculentum). A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the efficiency of vermicompost on plant growth and yield.&nbsp; 
Result: From the study, application of organic manures viz vermicompost resulted better crop growth and quality parameters in tomato crop and remarkably improvement in soil fertility was also observed. Application of vermicompost at 25 per cent and 50 per cent treatments not showed significant difference in growth and quality parameters of tomato crop. Regarding the quantity of vermicompost application, the cost of cultivation was reduced in 25 per cent vermicompost applied treatment than 50 per cent vermicompost applied treatment. Therefore, application of 25 per cent vermicompost treatment was found to be the best suited practice for tomato crop cultivation and also increased a net return, improved quality products and sustaining the soil health. Application of organic manure is one of the viable approaches for eco-friendly crop production.</div>

Growth, Fruit Characteristics and Seed Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Response to Fertilizer Application

The effectiveness of fungi Gliocladiumfimbriatum and Trichoderma viride to control fusarium wilt disease of tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)

Studies on Genetic Diversity and Interdependence of Growth and Quality Traits in Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var cerasiforme Mill.]

Influence of Zn, Fe and Ag Nanoparticles on Growth, Yield Attributes and Profitability in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum mill)

Effect of Rice Husk Biochar and Potassium Humate on the Change of Soil Chemical Properties, Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Developmental and Quality Traits of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill.) Cultivars as Affected by Albit^br Bio-stimulant

Effect of Heavy Metals Zn and Cu on Growth Parameters of Lycopersicum esculentum

Efficacy of Organic Biostimulant (Fish Protein Hydrolyzate) on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Evaluation of Various Genotypes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) on Quality Traits under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir

Study the Efficiency of Vermicompost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Tomato (Lycopersican esculentum)