GROWTH, YIELD AND SHELF LIFE OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum) AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER

Abstract

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted at the farm and laboratory of the Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur during the period from October 2004 to April 2005. The objectives of the research work were to study the growth, yield, relative cost, returns, and shelf life of BARI tomato-9 as influenced by different levels of nitrogen and stages of fruit maturity. Two experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. There were seven nitrogen levels (0, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220 and 2-W Kg °!'-:ha) in the first experiment and SC\'Cll nitrogen levels (0. 1-llJ. I ()0. I SO. 200. 220 and 2-10 Kg I'\ ha) with three stages of maurritv (breaker stages. hal l-ripc. any lull ripe) in the second experiment. Plant height. number or k~I\ cs. da; s to :'()"" llU\\'Cring. number nl' llowcr clusters. number of flowers per cluster. fruits per plant. fruit length and diameter, weight of individual fruit and fruit yield were significantly influenced by different levels of nitrogen. The highest levels of nitrogen (240 Kg N/ha) produced the highest fruit yield (85.42 ton/ha) and gave maximum (3.07) Benefit cost ratio (BCR).