|
Today is :
Archives (2001)
MMSU recommends off
season tomato hybrids
by Junelyn S. de la Rosa |
April-June
2001
|
Three new tomato hybrids developed by researchers from the
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) offer excellent opportunities
to Ilocos farmers to venture into profitable tomato production
during the off-season.
The developed hybrids are high-yielding, early-maturing,
and tolerant to the very humid conditions during wet seasons
in the Ilocos Region. The fruits are juicy, sour, and have
round and deep oblate shapes, qualities that are preferred
by local consumers.
The three MMSU hybrids (Hybrids 1, 2, and 3)
were developed in a five-year study by MMSU researchers-Marylis
Nalundasan, Rolando C. Ruguian and Victor V. Alpuerto of Monsanto
Philippines, Inc.
Hybrids 1, 2, and 3 were selected among 21 Fresh
Market F1 tomato hybrids that were evaluated against eight
open-pollinated varieties during the wet season for five years.
In a follow-up two-year study, the economics of growing tomatoes
and producing tomato seeds was also evaluated. Results showed
the three hybrids out-yielded the open-pollinated varieties
during the wet season. Hybrids 1, 2, and 3 provided a net
income of P312,145 per hectare compared to P34,845 with the
open-pollinated varieties. Tomato hybrid seed production was
also profitable. For 1000 square meter area, 26,410 g of seed
could be produced giving a net income of P65,435.
The MMSU tomato hybrids were developed from
the native tomato cultivar. The native cultivar is tolerant
to leaf diseases and excessive moisture. It could easily recover
from typhoon damage provided the soil is not waterlogged.
Local consumers prefer the native tomatoes because of their
sour and succulent fruits. Thus, it is priced higher than
the other varieties.
However, the native tomato has negative attributes---undesirable
shape, susceptibility to cracking and short shelf-life of
the fruits. Through hybridization of the native cultivar with
other genotypes, the negative characteristics of the native
cultivar were improved and the better characteristics were
maintained in the new lines.
Most farmers plant tomatoes during the dry season
after rice is harvested. They seldom grow tomatoes during
the wet season because the native and open-pollinated varieties
are low-yielding due to excessive flower drop and abortion
caused by the hot-wet conditions during the wet season.
Planting time is November to December while
the bulk of the produce is sold at the market from February
to March. Abundant supply of tomatoes during these months
results to a cheaper price at less than P5 per kilo. With
the introduction of the new hybrids, farmers can now grow
tomatoes during wet seasons and they can sell their produce
at a much higher price-a lucrative business option for any
Ilocos farmer.  More Articles:
Vol. 3 No. 2
April-June 2001
»»
CERDAF approves five addt'l national programs
»» IPB recommends
organic farming for vegetables
»» The
growing Philippine vegetable industry: obstacles and opportunities
»» Growing
vegetables without soil
»» MMSU
recommends off season tomato hybrids
»» Halamanan
sa BPI: Farming the City
»» Dump
that damping-off diseases
»» Grafting
effective in producing off- season tomato
»» 'It's
time you put some spice into your life'
»» A
Commodity Feature Cultivating the Aromatic Garlic
»»
Vegetable gardening at the rooftop?
»» National
Integrated RDE Agenda and Program for Vegetable
»» DA
launches AFP livelihood program
»» The
Gulayan at Bulaklakan Project: creating greener pastures for urban dwellers
[More
2001 Articles]
|
