ABSTRACT
Tomato is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetable
crops in the world. It belongs to the genus lycopersicon usually grown for its
edible fruits (Jones, 1990). The fruits are developed from the ovary in the
base of the flower, and contain seeds of the plant (though cultivated forms may
he seedless). Tomatoes contain high levels of vitamins A, B, C,E and nicotinic
acid and is therefore an important source of vitamins. On the average, the
fruit contains 8% protein, 34% minerals mainly (K, Ca and P) 48% total soluble
sugars, 9% citric acid and 0.5% vitamins. In Nigeria, tomato is regarded as the
most important vegetable after onions and pepper(Fawusi, 1978). It can be eaten
fresh or in multiple of processed forms. In recent decades, the consumption of
tomatoes has been associated with prevention of several diseases. mainly due to
the content of antioxidants including carotenes(lycopene as well as -
carotene), ascorbic acid, and phenolic compounds (Wilicox et al., 2003,Toor et
al. ,2006, Pariago et al 2009). It requires high water potentials for both
optimal vegetative and productive development (Jones, 1990). Tomatoes have a
higher acreage than any vegetable crop in the world, and it's the most commonly
grown food producing plants in backyards garden today. It has very high returns
on investment in addition to its economic importance; the tomato is an ideal
research material for physiological, cellular, biochemical and molecular
genetics investigations. It is easy to cultivate, has a short life cycle and is
amenable to varied horticultural manipulations, including grafting, or cutting
(Hiellel, 1990). Although tomato planting is beset with many problems, e.g.
diseases, nematodes, insects and high flower drop which results to low yield
and poor quality fruits, these problems can be checked easily by proper
management and care.
NKWAZEMA, O (2021). Evaluation Of Growth Performance Parameters Of Tomatoes Under Sprinkler Irrigation. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Sep 06, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/evaluation-of-growth-performance-parameters-of-tomatoes-under-sprinkler-irrigation-7-2
OKECHUKWU, NKWAZEMA. "Evaluation Of Growth Performance Parameters Of Tomatoes Under Sprinkler Irrigation" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 15 Oct. 2021, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/evaluation-of-growth-performance-parameters-of-tomatoes-under-sprinkler-irrigation-7-2. Accessed 06 Sep. 2024.
OKECHUKWU, NKWAZEMA. "Evaluation Of Growth Performance Parameters Of Tomatoes Under Sprinkler Irrigation". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 15 Oct. 2021. Web. 06 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/evaluation-of-growth-performance-parameters-of-tomatoes-under-sprinkler-irrigation-7-2 >.
OKECHUKWU, NKWAZEMA. "Evaluation Of Growth Performance Parameters Of Tomatoes Under Sprinkler Irrigation" Mouau.afribary.org (2021). Accessed 06 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/evaluation-of-growth-performance-parameters-of-tomatoes-under-sprinkler-irrigation-7-2