Vol. 11, Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Dr. Madan Lal Choudhary, Dr. Rameshwar Lal Soni and Dr. B. L. Roat

Abstract:
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) is one of the major vegetable crops cultivated in India, which plays a major role in supplementing the income of small and marginal farmers of tribal area of Dungarpur district of Rajasthan. The front line demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted on tribal farmer’s field in Dungarpur district of Rajasthan for three consecutive years (2016-17 to 2018-19) at three adopted tribal villages. Prevailing farmer's practices were treated as control for comparison with demonstrated technology. The result of FLDs conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Faloj, Dungarpur in tomato crop shows a greater impact on farmer’s livelihood due to significant increase in yield over local check. The improved tomato yield in the demonstration practices was attributed primarily to the use of improved technologies such as improved hybrids such as Arka Rakshak using vegetable special seed treatment & priming, transplanting methods & time, spacing, balanced nutrient application & WSF spray including secondary and micronutrients, integrated pest and disease management, weed management and proper irrigation methods. The average yield of tomato is increased by 21.02 per cent over the yield obtained under farmer’s practices of tomato cultivation. On an average extension gap, technology gap and technology index under three years FLD programme was 65.0 q/ha, 376.3 q/ha and 50.17 per cent. The benefit cost ratio of tomato ranged from 2.91 to 4.23 in demonstration practice plots and from 2.38 to 3.18 in farmer’s practice plots during three years of demonstration with an average of 3.57 in demonstration and 2.81 under farmer’s practices. Present results clearly show that the yield and economics of tomato can be boost up by adopting recommended technologies.