Evaluation of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.mill) Varieties for Yield and Fruit Quality in Ethiopia. A Review

Tomato is one the most important vegetable crop in Ethiopia. Different variety evaluation experiments were conducted in regions and across regions of Ethiopia by research, higher learning institutions and non-governmental institutions. Among tomato varieties evaluated under open field and greenhouse condition at JUCAVM, variety Marglobe and Moneymaker showed the highest total fruit yield per plant in greenhouse. From ten improved tomato varieties with one local check evaluated at Agaro and Jimma for their yield, Varieties ARP tomato D2, showed superior and scored a marketable fruit yield of 22.18 ton ha-1 at Jimma and variety Fetan showed highest yield 10.67 ton ha-1 at Agaro. In Borena YPDARC, there were variations among the varieties evaluated in fruit yield ton ha-1. In Erer valley of Babile, Melka shola scored 30.86 ton ha-1 and Bishola 28.69 ton ha-1. Under irrigation deficit experiment both shoot and fruit weight loss was decreased with increase in stress level while the fruit dry matter weight increased. The total yield and marketable yields were decreasing as the deficit level was increased. Fruit soluble solid content increased with increase in water stress. Among the Hybrid varieties evaluated at Melkassa, Debreziet, Koka, Wonji and Ziway districts in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia during off-season under irrigation, variety Venis was the highest yielding with preferable quality tomato. In the response to tested locations, Koka site show the highest total yield of 93.45 ton ha-1 which is all most all double of Melkassa area. From the nine Evaluated tomato varieties at Humera agricultural research center (HARC), the highest marketable yield was obtained by Melkasalsa (56.07ton ha-1) and the least yield was recorded by Bishola (17.89 tonha-1). Keywords: fruit quality, fruit yield, improved and hybrid variety. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/89-03 Publication date: August 31st 201