Integrated laboratory and greenhouse assessment of tomato genotypes for drought tolerance in Western Himalayas region

The present studies were planned to understand the response of a diverse set of ten tomato genotypes to drought during the seedling stage, which is important for stand establishment and crop growth. Under laboratory condition, the genotypes were evaluated under different osmotic concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) at 15 % and 20 % and control condition for 14 days. Under greenhouse condition, test genotypes were evaluated under polyhouse condition with different regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), 100 %, 75 % and 50 % stress of evapotranspiration coefficient (Etc). Moisture stress was induced after 15 days of transplanting by estimating Etc value using pan evaporimeter. In first experiment genotypes EC-620434, Best of All, Marglobe and Arka Vikas were found best under drought stress as there was lesser reduction in germination percentage and in growth parameters such as root and shoot length as compared to other genotypes studied whereas Best of All, Marglobe, Arka Vikas and LA-3846 were identified as the most tolerant to moisture stress as there was lesser reduction in leaf area, root biomass, root and shoot length compared to other genotypes under study in second experiment. Therefore, based on the influence of both the experiments it was found that the genotypes Best of ALL, Marglobe and Arka Vikas should be cultivated in areas prone to drought stress for sustainable tomato production in the mid-hill regions in the Western Himalayas.