Abstract

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Seasonality in tomato production in Ethiopia is causing discrepancy in supply and demand for fresh tomatoes. Despite the importance of tomatoes in the daily diet of the people and ever increasing demand throughout the year, tomatoes are not produced during the rainy periods and fresh tomato supply is limited and the price climbs up. Stressing on continuous production throughout the year and concomitant constant supply of fresh tomatoes, different planting periods were evaluated for productivity and fruit quality of two improved varieties. Randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement in three replications was used. Transplanting in the onset (June), middle (July) and end (August) of the rainy season were considered main plots whereas varieties Melkashola and Melkasalsa as sub plots. Interactions, except year and transplanting time, were found non significant while respective main effects were significantly different in marketable fresh and nonmarketable tomato yields. Significantly (P< 0.01) highest marketable fresh tomato yield was obtained from transplanting in the middle (July) of the rainy season (126.55 kg/30m²) of 2005. High early harvest was made from variety Melkasalsa whereas total marketable yield is high for variety Melkashola. On the other hand, percentage nonmarketable yield was significantly high from transplanting in the end (August) of the rainy season. It is proven that tomatoes can be produced throughout the year even in the rainy seasons. Although high yield with good quality tomatoes are produced in the rainy season, further effort is required, with the use of appropriate IDM practices, to minimize the proportion of nonmarketable tomatoes.

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