Effect of Sowing Date and Plant Density on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum, Mill.)

The effect of sowing date and plant density on two cultivars were investigated in field trail in two successive seasons (2002/03 and 2003/04) at North Kordofan of Sudan, to determined the optimum sowing date and plant density. Peto 86 and Red Star cultivars of tomato were sowing at October1st, October15th and November1st in three plant densities of 71,428, 47,619 and 35,714 plants ha-1. The results revealed that, the variety Red Star had a larger fruit diameter, highest fruit weight and highest yield (t/ha). The highest plant density (71,428 plant ha-1) gave the highest and marketable yield. The sowing at October1st increased the productivity of tomato as it positively influenced the plant height, stem diameter, days to 50% flowering, fruit yield and marketable yield.