Evaluation of Four Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) for Vegetative Growth, Yield and Yield Components in Ed Dueim, Sudan

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out during two successive winter seasons of 2013/14 and 2014/15 at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Bahkt ALruda, Ed Duiem, Sudan.  The aim of this study was to evaluate four tomato varieties performance under Ed Duiem locality conditions. Experiments consisted of four varieties, viz .Zahrat Enile, Darmali, Castle Rock and Strain B arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences were observed in tomato vegetative growth, yield and yield components and fruit quality among the varieties. “Darmali” variety showed the maximum number of leaves, the tallest plant, the highest values of stem girth and the shortest period to maturity in the two successive seasons. “Zahrt Elnile” variety produced the highest number of fruits/ plant, the total yield (ton/ha), total marketable yield, the maximum fruit weight and the highest fruit length values in the two seasons. The highest values of fruit diameter obtained with Zahrt Elnile variety and Darmali variety in the first and second season, respectively. No significant differences in the total soluble solids content and total acidity were recorded among the varieties. The recently released tomato varieties were found to be superior as compared to commercial tomato varieties in all parameters tested in the two seasons.