THE EFFECT OF PERIOD OF SEEDLING CONDITIONING WITH SALINE WATER AND DATE OF SOWING IN GROWTH AND YIELD ON TOMATO IN BARJESEUIA AREA OF BASRAH

Abstract

This experiment was conducted during winter season of 2004-2005 at Barjeseuia Research Station at the desert area, Basrah. The aim was to study the effect of period of seedling conditioning by using saline water (4 ds.m-1) for (0 , 4 , 8 and 12 days) before transplanting and date of sowing ( 10/9 and 10/10 ) of tomato hybrids Hatouf . Results showed that seedling conditioning for (8 days) gave a significant increase in leaf number , plant length after 60 and 120 days of sowing and number of branches per plant , number of trusses per plant after 120 days of sowing . Increased in both early and total yield at a ratio 46.6 and 34.2 % respectively , comparing with control . Seedling conditioning period had no significant effect on number of flowers abortion, average fruit weight and fruits chemical constitutions ( total soluble solid , total titratable acidity and ascorbic acid ) .The first date sowing increased significant comparing with the second sowing date in leaf number after 60 and 120 days of sowing, plant length after 60 days of sowing , number of trusses per plant, decreased in percentage of flowers abortion , increased in both early and total yield and average fruit weight at a ratio 49.7 , 14.5 , 10.5 % respectively comparing with second sowing. No significant effects on number of branches per plant and number of flowers per inflorescence . second date sowing increased significant on fruits chemical constitutions ( total soluble solid, total titratable acidity and ascorbic acid ) .