Agronomic Behavior of Six Saladette Tomato Hybrids Grown under Shade Mesh

Aims: The objective was to evaluate six indeterminate saladette tomato hybrids in Southeast, Coahuila, Mexico. Under shade house covered with anti-aphid mesh, to determine their performance, commercial quality and adaptability.

Study Design: The experimental design used in each test was completely randomized model with six treatments and three repetitions each. The treatments were hybrids Lubino were Lubino F1, Zopilote F1, Sahariana F1, Raptor F1, Quetzal F1 and RTF-713172 F1.

Place and Duration of Study: The site was Parras Valley Tomatoes in Parras, Coahuila, México. During april to November 2017.

Methodology: The distance between the lines were 1.80 m, between the plantpots 36 cm and two plants per plantpots, with approximately 30,000 plants per hectare calculated. The genotypes used were Lubino F1, Zopilote F1, Sahariana F1, Raptor F1, Quetzal F1 and RTF-713172 F1. The following agronomic characteristics were evaluates: yield, total number of fruits, average fruit weight, number of fruits per bunch, length between clusters, length of internodes, main stem thickness and commercial quality of fruit.

Results: The results indicate that the highest yielding hybrid was Zopilote with 4.3 kg plant-1, followed by Saharan, the average weight of the product obtained best in Saharan and Quetzal with 122.33 and 118.33 g respectively, the most compact variety was Zopilote due to the shorter distance between bunches, contrary to what was demonstrated by Lubino.

Conclusion: The best variety for the Southeast of Coahuila is Zopilote F1, due to its higher yield and for being a compact plant.