Impact of Shade Nets on Tomato Output and Quality in Temperate Region of Kashmir Valley

A field trial was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, Shalimar Campus during 2020-21 to ascertain the impact of shade nets on tomato output and quality inside the protected structure. During the study, it was found that no significant difference was observed in average monthly temperature and relative humidity inside polyhouse with shade net and without shade net. Significant difference was recorded in yield and the light intensity. Highest average plant yield of (15.5 kg/plant) was found in polyhouse in which the plants were covered with shade net and lowest yield was observed (13 kg/plant) where plants were not covered with shade net inside the polyhouse during afternoon day time. It was also found that the tomatoes that were grown in shade nets showed good colour development and a glossy appearance as compared to plants grown under protected structures without shade net. No significant difference was observed in quality attributes viz. TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid by shade net. However, the higher TSS (7.1 oBrix), Acidity (0.77%) and Ascorbic acid (45.86 mg/100gm) was recorded in polyhouse without shade net as compared to polyhouse with shade net (6.7, 0.51 and 38.52) respectively. Thus, use of shade net brought improvement in yield and no significant improvement was observed in quality of tomato grown in temperate region of Kashmir valley. Also, the shade net application during winter duration of 2021-22 during evening/night hours led to increase in the temperature inside polyhouse.