Improvement of Productivity and Quality of Nepalese Tomato Genotypes Using Black Polyethylene Film as Mulching Material

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of black plastic mulch on yield and other associated characters of promising tomato genotypes developed by the National Horticulture Research Centre, Nepal at the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Tarahara, Nepal, during the winter season of 2019. Nine tomato genotypes (HRDTOM 011, HRD 109, HRDTOM 035, HRDTOM 080, HRDTOM 079, HRDTOM 084, HRDTOM 085, HRDTOM 086, and Pusa Ruby as a check) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Genotypes were transplanted 60 cm apart. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for marketable fruits and yield per plant, average fruit weight, total marketable and unmarketable fruit yield, and total fruit yield. Among the tested genotypes, HARDTOM 011 developed the highest (174) number of marketable fruits per plant with the lowest (12.92 g) individual average fruit weight. In contrast, HRDTOM 080 produced the lowest (36) number of marketable fruits per plant with the highest (49.70 g) individual fruit weight.  HRD 109 and Pusa Ruby provided the highest (69.74 t ha-1) and the lowest (38.51 t ha-1) marketable fruit yields, respectively. The highest total fruit yield was also obtained from the HRD 109. Similarly, HRDTOM 085 and HRDTOM 035 had the highest total soluble solids and fruit size, respectively. Firmness of the fruit and pH content did not differ among the genotypes. With the same genotypes and location (Tarahara), a 98% greater yield demonstrated that tomato production may be significantly boosted with the use of polyethylene film as a mulching medium in winter tomato production in Nepal.