COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF GROWTH, PHENOLOGICAL TRAITS, FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.) VARIETIES UNDER ARID AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF UTHAL

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important vegetable crop, and the identification of high-performing varieties adapted to local agro-climatic conditions is essential for improving productivity. This study evaluated the growth, phenological development, fruit characteristics, and yield performance of four tomato varieties under the agro-climatic conditions of Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan, during the 2023-2024 growing season. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, using Almas, HT-362B, Investor, and CKD2 as treatments. Growth, flowering, fruit development, and yield-related traits were evaluated, including leaf number, plant height, branch number, stem diameter, flowering time, flower-cluster production, flowers per cluster and plant, fruit-setting and maturation periods, fruit number, fruit dimensions, average fruit weight, and yield per plant. Significant varietal differences were observed across the evaluated characteristics. CKD2 demonstrated superior overall performance, producing the highest number of flower clusters (10.62 plant⁻¹), flowers per cluster (5.68), flowers per plant (53.00), fruits per plant (41.00), average fruit weight (137.73 g), and yield (5.04 kg plant⁻¹). It also produced the longest fruits (78.12 mm) and greatest fruit diameter (65.59 mm). HT-362B also showed strong agronomic performance, producing 27.66 fruits plant⁻¹ and 2.72 kg plant⁻¹, while attaining relatively early fruit maturation (80.29 days). In contrast, Almas produced fewer fruits (22.33 plant⁻¹) and lower yield (2.07 kg plant⁻¹) and required the longest period for fruit maturation (87.36 days). Overall, the findings demonstrate pronounced varietal variation and identify CKD2 as the most promising variety for yield performance under the conditions of Uthal. These findings provide a basis for varietal selection and improved tomato production in the region; however, multi-season and multi-location evaluations are recommended to confirm yield stability and broader adaptation.