Growth, yield, and yield components of tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicum L.) influenced by the application of blended fertilizers (NPS) at Jimma, South-West Ethiopia

Abstract

The effects of blended fertilizer rates (NPS) on growth, production, and yield components of tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were studied utilizing irrigation facilities at Jimma University's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM). Strategic experiments were set up as 2x5 factorial testing in a randomized comprehensive block design (RCBD), with ten treatments combined and three replications. The treatment included five rates of mixed (NPS) fertilizer (0 kg ha-1, 50 kg ha-1, 100 kg ha, 150 kg ha-1, and 200 kg ha-1) and two tomato varieties. (Melka shola and Gelelma). Data were obtained on tomato growth, yield, and yield component characteristics. Significant results indicated the impacts of mixed fertilizers (NPS) on tomato cultivars in terms of marketable fruit weight by size group, number of total fruit yield per plant, and total fruit yield per hectare.The mixed fertilizer rate (NPS) and tomato types had substantial interaction effects on the percentage of fruit set and the number of marketable fruits per plot. association investigation revealed a positive association between tomato varieties growth, yield, and yield components. Significantly, the highest number of total fruit yield per plant (55.617), marketable fruit weight by size group (67.33 g), marketable fruit number per plot (211.67), and total fruit yield per hectare (38.183 t ha-1) were obtained at 150 kg ha-1 and 200 kg ha-1 blended (NPS) fertilizer, respectively, with the lowest at control.Melka shola produced the most overall fruit yields per plant (54.013) and per hectare (26.570 t ha-1) than Gelelma. Under Jimma conditions, 150 kg ha-1 of blended (NPS) fertilizer and Melka shola produced the highest yields. As a result, additional research should be conducted with many locations on blended fertilizer rate (NPS) mixed with tomato types.