Assessment of fruit quality and yield in staking and stakeless tomato hybrids under varied plant populations and nutrient management

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Shivamogga, during the summer seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 to assess the fruit quality and yield in staking and stakeless tomato hybrids under varied plant populations and nutrient management. The experiment consisted of two tomato types (staking and stakeless), three spacings (120 cm × 45 cm, 90 cm × 45 cm and 60 cm × 45 cm) and three nutrient levels (250:250:250, 200:200:200 and 150:150:150 kg N: P2O5:K2O ha-1) in a split-split plot design. Tomato type had no significant effect on yield or quality parameters, although staking recorded slightly higher fruit yield. Closer spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm resulted in the highest fruit yield (59.64 t ha-1) due to greater plant population, while wider spacing (120 cm × 45 cm) improved fruit girth, fruit yield plant-1 and quality attributes. Nutrient levels significantly influenced yield and quality, with 200:200:200 kg N: P2O5:K2O ha-1 producing the highest fruit yield (60.49 t ha-1) and superior quality traits. The interaction between spacing and nutrient levels was significant, with S3L2 (60 cm × 45 cm + 200:200:200 kg N: P2O5:K2O ha-1) yielding the maximum fruit yield (68.66 t ha-1). Other interactions, including the three-way interaction among tomato type, spacing and nutrients, were non-significant. Overall, the study concludes that growing staking and stakeless tomato with closer spacing combined with an optimal nutrient dose of 200:200:200 kg N: P2O5:K2O ha-1 is most effective for maximizing tomato yield.