Effects of Earthing up and Pruning Systems on Yield and Net Economic Benefit of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon)

Abstract

Tomato is a popular and extensively cultivated vegetable among the promising commodities in horticultural production in Kenya. It provides a wide variety of nutrients with many health-related benefits. Despite the importance, its yield and net economic benefits is limited by the cultural practices applied by farmers. There is limited knowledge on the effect of integrating pruning and earthing up on tomato yield and net economic benefit. This study investigated the effect of integration of pruning and earthing up on the growth and yield of tomatoes. A split-plot experimental design, arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications was used. The study investigated two factors i.e. pruning system in the main plot (single stem, double stem, and triple stem) and earthing up in sub-plots. (0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm). Fruit yield data was taken after each harvest. Data were analysed using SAS version 9.4 and significant means were separated using the least significant difference at α = .05. The findings of the study revealed that earthing up and pruning system had a significant (p ˂ .05) effect on tomato yield and net economic benefit. Triple stem pruning system, earthing up to 30 cm had the highest fruit yield with 21.82 tonnes/hectare in cultivation 1 and 21.84 tonnes/hectare in cultivation 2. The findings also revealed that triple stem pruning system, earthing up to 30 cm had the highest net economic benefit per hectare in both cultivation 1 and cultivation 2. To improve tomato yield and consequently improve net economic benefit, farmers are encouraged to consider triple stem pruning system and earthing up to level 30 cm.