Evaluation Of Growth Performance Parameters Of Tomatoes Under Sprinkler Irrigation

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.