Dynamics of Physico-Chemical, Quality Parameters of Cherry Tomato as Influenced by Pruning Intensities and Transplanting Dates under Controlled Conditions in the Subtropical Region of North-Western Himalayas
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) is a high-value vegetable valued for its taste, nutritional attributes and market preference, but quality-oriented management under protected subtropical cultivation requires further refinement. This study evaluated the effects of pruning intensity and transplanting date on physico-chemical quality attributes of cherry tomato grown under a low-cost polyhouse during Rabi season at SKUAST-J. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomised block design with three pruning intensities, three transplanting dates and three replications. Two-stem pruning improved fruit quality by recording higher fruit size (27.84 mm), ascorbic acid (37.16 mg 100 g⁻¹), lycopene (6.10 mg 100 g⁻¹) and sugar–acid ratio (26.40), along with lower titratable acidity (0.29%), compared with other pruning treatments. Transplanting on 15 October recorded higher ascorbic acid (40.76 mg 100 g⁻¹), lycopene (6.73 mg 100 g⁻¹), sugar–acid ratio (28.59) and lower acidity (0.28%), whereas transplanting on 30 October recorded the highest total soluble solids (8.37 °Brix). The interaction between pruning and transplanting date showed that two-stem pruning combined with 15 October transplanting (P₂D₁) gave the best overall fruit-quality response, including the largest fruit size (28.76 mm) and favourable biochemical balance. Principal component analysis further supported the superiority of P₂D₁ for integrated fruit quality. The findings indicate that two-stem pruning with mid-October transplanting can improve cherry tomato quality under protected subtropical conditions.
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7165682375