Abstract:
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia which is
produced by smallholder farmers. The production and productivity of the crop is however low which is
mainly constrained by improper agronomic practices including stem pruning and inter-row spacing.
The study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of vine pruning and inter-row spacing on the
growth and yield of tomato at Bahir Dar zuria district, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The experiment was
laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four levels of vine pruning (unpruned
plant, single vined, two vined, and three vined) and three levels of inter-row spacing (40cm, 70cm and
100cm)in 4x3 factorial arrangements with three replications. Phenological, growth and yield
parameters were collected and analysed using SAS 9.0 software and means were separated by using
LSD at 5% probability level. Results revealed that the main effects of vine pruning and inter-rowspacings
significantly
influenced most of the tested tomato parameters (fruit width, fruit length, fruit
weight). Moreover, the interaction effect of inter row spacing and vine pruning had a very highly
significant (p<0.001) effect on number of fruit clusters per plant, fruit weight, marketable,
unmarketable and total fruit yields. The highest marketable (73.33 t ha
-1
) and total (73.36 t ha
) fruit
yields were recorded with the combination of 70 cm inter-row spacing and three vined pruning.
Similarly this treatment combination also recorded the highest net benefit (496166.70 Eth-Birr ha
)
with acceptable (217.6%) marginal rate of return. Based on the present study 70 cm inter-row spacing
combined with three vined pruning is recommended for economical production of tomato under
irrigation at Wondata kebele, Bahir Dar zuria district and areas with similar agro-ecology. Since the
present study is conducted only one season and on a single location, it is better to repeat the
experiment at different locations and seasons.