<div style="text-align: justify;">Colonisation and infection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato is governed not only by host resistance but also by its interactions with other phylloplane bacterial colonizers. In the present study, reduced disease symptoms were observed as a result of interaction between P. syringae pv. tomato and Klebsiella pneumoniae, a predominant human enteric pathogen colonising phyllosphere. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants raised under controlled aseptic conditions were divided into 4 groups of 25 plants each and treated as follows: Group 1- inoculated with P. syringae pv. tomato; Group 2- inoculated with K. pneumoniae; Group 3- combination of P. syringae pv. tomato and K. pneumoniae (1:1); Group 4- Distilled water (control). Sampled leaves from the above groups were analysed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post inoculation for the activity of cytoplasmic Peroxidase (POX), Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). Disease incidence was recorded in treated as well as leaves emerging after 2 weeks of inoculation. Plants treated with P. syringae pv. tomato had maximum disease incidence while no infection was observed in control and those inoculated with K. pneumoniae alone. Inoculation of plants with combination of both microbes could substantially reduce the disease severity. The results thus demonstrate that K. pneumoniae, a common HEP on plant surfaces, reduces the ability of P. syringae pv. tomato to colonise the host.</div>

Effect of Klebsiella pneumoniae on speck disease development in Solanum lycopersicum

<div>Background: The influence of inorganic fertilizer has posed considerable challenges on increasing food production worldwide. A careful plan is required to increase the yield and quality of crops. A profound knowledge on the use of organic manure involvement in plant growth and development could be beneficial for food production. The use of acceptable inorganic and different concentrations of vermicompost has been used in an attempt to enhance crop growth and development with the aim of increasing food production.&nbsp;The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of vermicompost tea concentrate extracted from cow manure and grass cutting on physiological responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).Vegetative growth and yield of tomato was stimulated by mineralization of organic waste coupled with the mesophilic action of earthworm. Vermicompost is a by-product of earthworm tissues. It is a nutrient source rich in essential components for plant growth and development. 
 
Methods: An investigation was conducted in pot media under exposed natural conditions from August 2020 to November 2020 at Mangosuthu University of Technology. In this experiment, the growth of tomato plants were subjected to different vermicompost concentrations and amended with NPK fertilizer were studied. Sandy loam soil of about 5 kg were weighted into pot media (2.0mheight, 2.3m diameter). The experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design consisting of five treatments with five replicates per treatment. Treatments included: Positive control (PC), 5%VCL+NPK, 10% VCL+NPK, 20%VCL+NPK and the inorganic (NPK).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results revealed that there were significant differences at (P&lt;0.01) among the treatments with respect to plant height and number of leaves from week three to week eight. Similar trends were found with 5% VCL+NPK, 10% VCL+NPK, 20% VCL+NPK and the NPK treatments. This may be due to phytohormone release from earthworm tissue. Tomato flower inflorescence was significant at (P&lt;0.01).&nbsp; Tomato fruit, different components at harvest which were, weight wet and dry weight were higher with NPK treated at (P&lt;0.01) than the 5% VCL+NPK, 10% VCL+NPK. Root length in 20% concentration was considerably higher than the other treatments. The results showed that minimum supplementation with inorganic fertiliser may be necessary with vermicompost leachate in order to successfully grow crops in nutrient deficient soil.</div>

Vermicompost Leachate a Viable Bio-stimulant for Tomato Growth and Yield (Solanum lycopersicum)

<div>Background: Organic agricultural inputs are getting immense importance for enhancing growth, yield and nutritional value of the crop. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of soil application of different doses of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) on the growth parameters of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plant.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: FPH treatment were applied through soil application in three different doses such as 0.5 mL, 2.0 mL and 5.0 mL diluted into 2 liters of water and one control group was maintained that did not receive any FPH but only equal amount of water. The growth parameters in terms of fruit yield, shoot morphology and root morphology were studied. The 0.5 ml dose resulted in the 48% increase in the yield to tomatoes. The dose proportional linear increase in the tomato yield was not observed. All the doses of FPH showed increase in the fresh shoot weight as compared to control, however differentiation with different doses was not profound.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The optimal dose of 0.5 ml showed significantly positive effect on the root morphology. However, the highest dose of 5.0 ml resulted in the negative effect on the root development. This research work demonstrated that optimal dose of the organic biostimulant FPH can help to increase the yield of tomato.</div>

<div>Efficacy of Organic Biostimulant (Fish Protein Hydrolyzate) on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)</div>

<div>Background: Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crop grown in the world. Identification of better genotypes among the existing germplasm leads to the success of&nbsp; breeding programme. Elite genotypes should be known for our trait of interest. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Vegetable Experimental Field, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar during Kharif-2018 in which twenty seven genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were evaluated to estimate the performance of genotypes on various quality traits like lycopene content, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids and juice to pulp ratio. 
 
Result: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits under studied. Highest lycopene content was recorded in the genotypes 2015/TODHYB-1, Roma and VRT-19 Whereas highest TSS content was exhibited by Kashi Aman, Roma, Jawahar-99 and Shalimar Hybrid Tomato-1. Highest titrable acidity recorded in Marglobe followed by 2015/TODHYB-4 and Kashi Hemanth. Juice to pulp ratio was highest in the genotypes namely, 2016/TODVAR-5 and Kashi Vishesh. Hence, the best performed genotypes can be used as such in promotion of tomato production programme as elite germplasm lines/varieties or may be recommended for commercial cultivation after testing them over years and locations.</div>

Evaluation of Various Genotypes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) on Quality Traits under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The use of crop improvement practices in vegetable cultivation has increased during the last years.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at Research Farm of Vegetable Science, Dr YSP UHF Nauni, Solan in the year 2018-2019 in a randomized complete block design with three replications in order to evaluate the effects of planting methods, mulching and training system on soil temperature and yield of tomato. Treatments consisted of planting methods (raised bed, flat bed), mulching treatments (black mulch, silver/black mulch and no mulch) and training systems (two stem training and three stem training).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results of the study indicated highest values of plant height, fruit weight,yield and soil temperature were observed under raised bed planting methods, black mulch along with two stem trained plants. Also black coloured mulch had significantly higher values of marketable yield. The highest soil temperature was found to be higher by about 1 to 10oC as compared to no mulch plot. It can be concluded that use of black colour mulch significantly increased the growth, yield and yield contributing characters of tomato under the open field conditions.</div>

Effect of Raised Bed, Mulching and Training System on Soil Temperature and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Background: A biofertilizer is a product that contains living microorganisms, which, when applied to soil, plant surfaces, or seeds, establish themselves in the plant&rsquo;s rhizosphere and promote growth by providing essential nutrients. Considered an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers help minimize ecological harm. Moreover, after 3-4 years of consistent use, additional applications are unnecessary, as the original inoculants are sufficient for continued growth and multiplication. 
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Methods: This study investigates the differential effects of biofertilizers on the growth, yieldand quality attributes of Cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiformae) during Rabi 2019 at new horticulture nursery, Jabalpur. Thirteen treatments, incorporating combinations of Azotobacter and Pseudomonas with varying rates of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. 
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Result: Key findings revealed that the treatment of 75% RDF combined with Azotobacter and Pseudomonas significantly enhanced growth parameters, yielding the highest plant height (35.05 cm at 30 DAT) and number of branches (24.33 at 90 DAT). Additionally, it resulted in superior phenological traits, such as the earliest flowering and highest flower clusters. Yield metrics, including fruit diameter (2.58 cm), fruit weight (11.32 g)and overall yield (1368.33 g per plant), were also maximized under this treatment. Furthermore, economic analysis showed that this combination yielded the highest gross income (Rs 248,880), net income (Rs 189,226.07) and B:C ratio (3.17). Overall, the application of biofertilizers proved beneficial for both agronomic and economic aspects of Cherry tomato cultivation.

Study on Differential Effect of Biofertilizer on Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var cerasiformae)

Background: Cherry tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var. cerasiforme Mill.] belonging to Solanaceae family, having chromosome number 2n=2x=24 is a table purpose tomato with small fruits of bright red colour bearing resemblance to a cherry. With ever increasing demand of cherry tomato in both fresh market and processing industries there is a need to make the crop both agronomically and economically more desirable. Therefore, cherry tomatoes present great future in breeding programmes for bringing about the required improvements and hence it is necessary to evaluate the germplasm and select genotypes which are high yielding and disease resistant. 
 
Methods: Genetic diversity for growth and quality traits in twenty four genotypes of cherry tomato was studied under mid hills of Kullu valley (32.2oN latitude 77oE longitude), Himachal Pradesh during kharif season of 2020. Observations with respect to morphological and physicochemical characters were recorded on five randomly selected plants from each plot in each replication and their means were worked out for statistical analysis. 
 
Result: The genetic variability in general indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied; however, the difference was very narrow. For number of branches per plant, days to per cent flowering, number of cluster per plant number of seeds per plant, total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity the difference was very high, indicating the role of environment in expression of these characters. The heritability and genetic gain were high for number of fruits per cluster and fruit yield per plant. High heritability along with moderate genetic gain was observed for total number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight. Fruit yield per plant had significant and positive correlation with total number of fruits per plant, number of fruit clusters, average weight, pericarp thickness and titratable acidity. Positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant was highest from total number of fruits per plant followed by pericarp thickness, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, TSS, number of branches, titratable acidity, average fruit weight, fruit shape index and number of seeds. Based on analysis of genetic divergence through Mahalanobis D2&nbsp;statistics, the genotypes were divided into four different clusters and the cluster III and IV had the genotypes with the requisite traits for future improvement of yield. 
&nbsp;

<div>Studies on Genetic Diversity and Interdependence of Growth and Quality Traits in Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var cerasiforme Mill.]</div>

Background: Water deficit is one of the most limiting factors for plant survival as it regulates growth and development and limits plant productivity. Salicylic Acid (SA) is a signaling molecule that plays a crucial role in regulating plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses, including water stress. When applied exogenously, SA can stimulate the expression of stress-responsive genes and activate antioxidant defense systems, helping to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under water stress conditions. Potassium plays a crucial role in regulating stomatal opening and closing, osmotic adjustment and enzyme activation, all of which are important processes for water stress adaptation. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Vegetable Crops, OUAT, Bhubaneswar to standardize the dose of salicylic acid and KNO3&nbsp;application on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under water stress condition. In the present investigation growth, fruit and seed yield attributing traits of tomato for the year 2019-20 and 2020-21 was studied under randomized block design with three replications and ten treatments. Treatments include five doses of salicylic acid (10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 75 ppm, 100 ppm) and three doses of KNO3&nbsp;(1%, 2.5%, 5%) along with one stress check treatment (drought stress by withholding irrigation) and stress-freecontrol treatment (provided flooding irrigation). 
 
Result: The maximum values of growth parameter, yield and yield attributing characters such as plant height (115.77 cm), leaf area (98.72 cm2), number of truss per plant (11.83), number of fruits/plant (23.87), total fruit yield (42.28 t ha-1), seed yield (148.84 kg ha-1), germination % (88.17), seedling length (14.93 cm), S.V I (1315.49), S.V II (185.35) were recorded with stress free check treatment (provided flooding irrigation) followed by 100 ppm salicylic acid and KNO3 5%. Maximum leaf area (98.72 cm2) was recorded with 100 ppm salicylic acid followed by T8 (5% KNO3) and stress free control. 
&nbsp;

Drought Mitigating Impact of Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and KNo3&nbsp;on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Characters of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under Water Stress Conditions 
&nbsp;

Background: Pests and diseases can cause suboptimal tomato production. One alternative that can be used to control wilt disease in tomato plants is to use biological agents. Biological agents that have the potential to control wilt disease in tomato plants are mycorrhizae. This study aimed to determine whether mycorrhizal treatment was effective in the growth of tomato plants and the control of wilt.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The research design was a randomized block design (RBD) arranged factorially. This study used two factors and the first was the dose of mycorrhizal application (M) with three treatments consisting of M1 = mycorrhizal 25 spores/plant, M2 = mycorrhizal 50 spores/plant and M3 = mycorrhizal 75 spores/plant. The second factor was Mycorrhiza (T) application time using two treatments consisting of T1 = when the tomato seeds were sown and T2 = when transplanting. All treatment combinations were repeated 4 times. The varieties used are varieties that farmers usually plant, namely the F1-resistant variety, which was an introduced hybrid plant. The type of plant was a determinate plant. 
 
Result: The results showed that the mycorrhizal treatment with 75 spores significantly increased tomato plant growth on parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, fruit weight and reduced disease incidence.

Arbuscular Vascular Mycorrhizes (MVA) to Control Wilt Disease in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

<div>Background: Organic farming proves many advantages for recycling regenerates the waste matter into wealth and can wipe out the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Sustainable agriculture can be ensured in future with the help of organic farming which includes various processes of biological origin such as compost and vermicompost. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted at Alanthurai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Agro-industrial waste of sugarcane trash and bagasse were collected and were used for biocomposting process using Pleurotus florida, Trichoderma asperelloides, microbial consortium and Eudrillus eugeniae. Six different treatments were incorporated in the present study. Vegetative parameters such as shoot length, root length, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight at different stages (30, 60 and 90 DAS), number of flowers and number of branches on 60 and 90 DAS. On 90th day yield characters like number of fruits, diameter of fruits, single fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per plot were analyzed. 
 
Result: A significant increase in shoot length, root length, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight was observed in T3 - C3 (Predecomposted sugarcane trash + Trichoderma asperelloids and Microbial consortium 5 t/h) treatment, followed by T1 - C1 (Predecomposted sugarcane trash Pleurotus florida and earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) 5 t/h) treatment on 30, 60 and 90 DAS. A significant increase in number of flowers and number of branches was observed in T3 treatment followed by other treatment on 60 and 90 DAS. The maximum amount in number of fruits, diameter of fruit, single fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per plot were noted in T3 treatment, followed by T1 treatment on 90 DAS and minimum amount were reported in control (soil). The results of the study clearly indicated that treatment T3 significantly increased the vegetative parameters and yield characters in tomato.</div>

Effect of Klebsiella pneumoniae on speck disease development in Solanum lycopersicum

Vermicompost Leachate a Viable Bio-stimulant for Tomato Growth and Yield (Solanum lycopersicum)

Efficacy of Organic Biostimulant (Fish Protein Hydrolyzate) on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Evaluation of Various Genotypes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) on Quality Traits under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir

Effect of Raised Bed, Mulching and Training System on Soil Temperature and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Study on Differential Effect of Biofertilizer on Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var cerasiformae)

Studies on Genetic Diversity and Interdependence of Growth and Quality Traits in Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.) var cerasiforme Mill.]

Drought Mitigating Impact of Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and KNo₃on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Characters of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under Water Stress Conditions

Arbuscular Vascular Mycorrhizes (MVA) to Control Wilt Disease in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Effect of Composted Sugarcane Trash and Bagasse on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)