Effects of Weeding Frequency on the Yield and Shelf-life Performance of Tomato (Lycopersicon Lycopersicum (L) Mill.)

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of different weeding frequencies on the yield, performance and shelf life of tomato. Plants under two weeks weeding interval, excelled in terms of growth, yield and storage performance compared to control and other plants under different weeding frequencies. The loss of frit it quality and rate of decay depended on the weeding frequencies and storage methods. For all the parameters investigated, fruits from no weeding (control) appeared to be more perishable in all the three storage methods than 2 weeks weeding interval. Incubator was the most effective storage method but not significantly different from that of evaporative coolant structure irrespective of the weeding frequencies Evaporative coolant structure was discovered to be more beneficial and convenient for the rural farmers because it is cheaper, accessible and stores tomato fruits well for a considerable length of time.