Comparison of Growth and Yield Performance of (UC-82B & Local) Varieties of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) by Grafting, Mutation and Seasonal Variations

Abstract

The Comparison of Growth and Yield Performance of (UC-82B & Local) Varieties of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) by Grafting, Mutation and Seasonal Variations was investigated with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Tomato plants. The seeds of two varieties of tomato: UC-82B and Local varieties were treated at three different concentrations of sodium azide (1.0mM, 1.5 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control). The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of sodium azide on survival rates, number of fruits, and fruit weight. Similarly, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) was found between the treatments in Survival rate, except on the number of fruits and fruit weight, where no significant differences exist. More so, significant differences were found in the traits between the seasons except in fruit number. The result shows that 1.0 mM concentration of Sodium Azide and grafting improves some important quality traits of tomato that could be utilized for further improvement of tomato crop. However, the response of variety UC to grafting was higher. Highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found among the seasons in terms of fruit weight, and significant difference (P≤0.05) was found among the seasons on survival rate, while no significant difference was found among the seasons in terms of fruits number. More so, highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found in the interaction of varieties with seasons on Survival rate and number of fruit tomato varieties except on fruit weight, where no significant difference was found.