Abstract:
Tomato is one of the most popular vegetables consumed in Ghana. With the increasing
demand for tomato on daily basis, there is the need to increase productivity. However, the
production of tomato in Ghana is limited by harsh climate, drought and inadequate
knowledge on the use of modern technology such as greenhouse technology. Hence, the
purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of greenhouse technology on the growth
and yield of tomato in the transitional zone of Ghana. The experiment was conducted at the
multipurpose Crop Nursery of the former University of Education, Winneba (now
AAMUSTED) College of Agriculture Education Mampong Campus from 4th August, 2020
to 30th November, 2020. The experimental design used for the study was Random Complete
Block Design. Two treatments made up of greenhouse technology and open field were used.
Parameters measured included: plant height, number of branches, stem girth, number of
flowers, number of fruits harvested, harvested fruit weight, matured vertical fruit length and
diameter and economic analysis. The data collected were analysed using the Student T-test
using Genstast version 11.1. Results from the study revealed that plant height, number of
branches and stem girth were significantly higher (P<0.05) among tomato plants grown in
the open field compared with tomato plants grown under the greenhouse technology.
Number of harvested fruits, harvested fruit weight, matured vertical fruit length and
diameter were significantly (P<0.05) highest among tomato plants grown under the
greenhouse technology as compared with tomato plants grown in the open field. This
study concludes that greenhouse technology increased the yield of tomato with higher
economic returns. The study recommends that farmers should adopt greenhouse technology,
since it gave higher productivity and economic returns.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES
EDUCATION, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO
THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,
WINNEBA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURE
(CROP SCIENCE)
MAY, 2020