Influence of Inter and Intra-rows Spacing on Yield and Yield Components of Tomato Cultivars

Tomato is an important cash crop in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia and currently plant spacing practiced by growers quite different from research recommendation. Field experiment was carried out at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, in the year 2011/12 and 2012/13 off seasons with the objectives of evaluating the effect of four inter-row spacings (70, 80, 90, and 100 cm) and three intra-row spacing (20, 30 and 40 cm) on yield and yield components of fresh market(Bishola) and processing (Cochoro) tomato cultivars. The treatments were arranged in 2x4x3 factorial in a split-split plot design in three replications. Data were collected on plant canopy width, above ground dry biomass as well total, marketable and unmarketable fruit yield and on quality parameters such as TSS, fruit length and diameter were analyzed. The results indicated that inter and inter-row spacing had a significant effect on plan canopy width, above ground dry biomass, total, marketable, unmarketable fruit yield, TSS, fruit length and diameter. The highest canopy width of Bishola (77.08 cm) was recorded at 40 cm x 100 cm whereas for Cochoro (71.30 cm) at 40 cm x 90 cm. Maximum fruit TSS (3.72) was recorded at 40 cm intra-row spacing and this was not significantly different from 30 cm (3.68). The highest total fruit yield of 100.45 and 92.55 ton/ha were recorded for closer inter and intra-row spacing of 70 and 20 cm, respectively. However, the highest marketable yield was obtained at 90 cm (51.48 ton/ha) inter-row spacing and at 30 cm (45.78 ton/ha) intra row spacing and this was not significantly different from 40 cm. The study suggest that 30 cm x 90 cm or 40 cm x 90 intra-inter row spacing combination was suitable for obtaining higher marketable yield and good quality fruit around Melkassa and similar conditions in Ethiopia.

番茄是埃塞俄比亚中部大裂谷地区重要的经济作物，当前种植户采用的植株间距配置与科研推荐标准存在显著差异。本试验于2011/12年度及2012/13年度的非主栽季在梅尔卡萨农业研究中心开展，旨在评估4种行间间距（inter-row spacing，70、80、90、100 cm）与3种株间间距（intra-row spacing，20、30、40 cm）对鲜食型（Bishola）及加工型（Cochoro）番茄品种的产量及其构成因素的影响。试验采用2×4×3因子裂裂区设计，设置3次重复。测定指标包括植株冠幅、地上干生物量、总果产量、商品果产量与非商品果产量，以及可溶性固形物（Total Soluble Solids, TSS）、果实长度与直径等品质参数，并对所得数据进行统计分析。结果表明，行间间距与株间间距对植株冠幅、地上干生物量、总果产量、商品果产量、非商品果产量、可溶性固形物含量、果实长度及直径均具有显著影响。鲜食型番茄Bishola的最大冠幅为77.08 cm，对应株间间距40 cm、行间间距100 cm的组合；加工型番茄Cochoro的最大冠幅则为71.30 cm，对应株间间距40 cm、行间间距90 cm的组合。当株间间距为40 cm时，果实可溶性固形物含量最高（3.72），与株间间距30 cm的处理（3.68）无显著差异。在行间间距70 cm、株间间距20 cm的密植组合下，两个品种的总果产量分别达到最高的100.45吨/公顷与92.55吨/公顷。然而，商品果产量最高的组合为行间间距90 cm（51.48吨/公顷）、株间间距30 cm（45.78吨/公顷），该组合的商品果产量与株间间距40 cm的处理无显著差异。本研究建议，在梅尔卡萨及埃塞俄比亚类似生态条件区域，采用30 cm × 90 cm或40 cm × 90 cm的株间×行间间距配置，可获得较高的商品果产量与优良的果实品质。