Evaluation of different tomato varieties in terms of growth, yield, and yield components in the Garasbaalay district, Banadir, Somalia

A field experiment was conducted during the Jiilaal season from January to June 2024 at Tabeelaha Sheikh Ibrahim village, Garasbaaley district, Banadir region, Somalia. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of single-factor experiments, viz., different varieties of tomato crop(Copra, tingle, kelvin, local cherry type). The main objectives of the study were to evaluate the growth, yield components, and yield performance of the four tomato varieties and select the best-performing variety. The parameters assessed to achieve the objectives of the study were characteristics of the plant height, 50% of flowering, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield kg/plant, the number of branches per plant, and fruit yield per hectare. The data were analyzed statistically using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique with the help of a computer using the MSTAT-C program. In terms of growth, the plant height measurements at 20, 40, and 60 days after sowing (DAS) showed no significant differences among the varieties. Contrasting plant height, number of Branches per Plant showed Significant variation. The local variety named tomato cherry type (V1) exhibited the highest number of branches. Regarding the fruit yield per plant and per hectare, there was significant variation among the tomato varieties evaluated in the study, and variety 3 (Copra) excelled in fruit yield per plant and per hectare, reinforcing its superior productivity.