International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Kunzang Lamo, Stanzin Dorjey, FD Sheikh, Jigmet Lhaskit, Sonam Angchuk and Rigzin Safal

abstract
Ladakh is identified as one of the coldest, driest and highest regions in the world. Temperature regime of the region is the major limiting factor in agriculture where only cold hardy crops are cultivated during summer and this restricts agricultural season to few months. Spiritual inclination of the predominant Buddhist community embracing vegetarian diet makes vegetable cultivation essential for meeting nutritional security of the region. Open conditions allow cultivation of only cool season crops. Therefore, under Ladakh conditions, protected vegetable cultivation is indispensible for both food and nutritional security and for year round harvest. Warm season crops like tomatoes perform best to their potential when they are cultivated under protected conditions during summer months. To evaluate different tomato varieties under greenhouse conditions, a study was taken up in kharif 2023-2024 at KVK Leh in Ladakh. Five potential hybrids were selected for the study. Among the hybrids, Arka Samrat recorded highest plant height (137 cm) followed by PH-2 (124.667) and Uphar (122.33) which are significantly at par with each other. The least plant height was recorded in Anand (91.33 cm) which is significantly at par with US-1080 (98.5). Highest root length was recorded in Uphar (26.63 cm) followed by Arka Samrat (20.2 cm) which is statistically at par with PH-2 (19.2 cm). NBH-Anand (Improved) recorded highest fruit Polar diameter (6.1 cm) while PH-2 recorded highest equatorial diameter (5.53 cm). TSS percentage was recorded maximum in Arka Samrat (7%) and is statistically at par with PH-2 (6.77%). The minimum Total soluble solid content was recorded in US-1080 (5.7%). Highest yield per plant and per hectare was recorded in hybrid PH-2 (1457.7 g, 53.99t/ha) which is significantly at par with Hybrid Uphar (1376.7 g, 50.99t/ha). The least yield per plant and per hectare was recorded in Arka Samrat (835.3 g, 30.94 t/ha). Tomato hybrids PH-2 followed by Uphar are best in terms of yield and taste and are therefore recommended for cultivation under greenhouse conditions in Ladakh.