Effect of drought stress on growth and yield of BARI released tomato varieties

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Plant Physiology field of Horticulture Research Center, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) during 2021-22 and 2022-23 in winter season to study the responses of BARI released open pollinated tomato varieties to drought stress. Tomato plants of eight varieties [V1 = BARI Tomato-2, V2 = BARI Tomato-14, V3 = BARI Tomato-16, V4 = BARI Tomato-17, V5 = BARI Tomato-18, V6 = BARI Tomato-19, V7 = BARI Tomato-20 (cherry tomato) and V8 = BARI Tomato-21) were grown under two different conditions of water availability i.e., controlled condition (100% field capacity-FC) and drought condition (60% FC). The pooled results of two years are presented. All the parameters studied except total soluble solid (TSS) and proline content were negatively affected by drought. Fruit TSS and leaf proline content were increased at drought stress. With regard to plant height and SPAD value, the lowest reduction was noted in BARI Tomato-18 but the lowest reduction of relative water content (RWC) was observed in BARI Tomato-18 and BARI Tomato-20. In context to relative value of the characters such as number of fruits/plants, individual fruit weight, fruit set, yield/plant and yield/ha, the varieties BARI Tomato-18 and BARI Tomato-20 showed the higher relative percentage at 60% FC. Maximum TSS and proline content increase were observed in BARI Tomato-7 and BARI Tomato-18 varieties. Based on the results, it may be concluded that BARI Tomato-18 and BARI Tomato-20 perform better at drought condition (60% FC) and these two tomato varieties may be considered as medium drought tolerant.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 49(3): 259-277, September 2024