The Effects of Trellising Methods on Determinate Tomato Varieties' Yield in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Aims: To determine the effect of trellising methods of determinate tomato varieties on fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, marketable and total yields. Study Design: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications was used Place and Duration of Study: Mutoko district in Zimbabwe between May and October 2013 Methodology: Two factors were studied the trellising method (including staking and weave, single pole staking, caging and the ground culture as control) and the tomato varieties (Roma, Floridade and Rio Grande). The factors were studied concerning their effect on yield amount. Results: Significant difference was found (P≤0.05) due to the trellising method, whereas the caging caused the highest results (number of fruits per plant, marketable and total yield amount). Additionally, species variability plays important role in determination of yield quality as found for Roma one as compare to the other ones Not only the trellising method alone is affecting the yield, but the suitability of the species to the trellising method, and the one which has the highest results was Roma when compared to Floridade and Rio Grande. Conclusion: The caging method resulted in an increase in yield. Despite any trellising method used, trailing increases the amount of marketable tomatoes. These results, however, need further studies to validate reliability.