Effect of peat, compost (vegetable waste) and traditional practicing media (soil, sand and farmyard manure) alone and in combinations, was examined on the quality of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at Directorate of Vegetable, DHRD, NARC, Islamabad, during 2013-14. Germination and several seedling quality variables, like, days to emergence, shoot length, height, vigor index, dry matter accumulation and benefit cost ratio, were monitored. Maximum germination percentage (95), seedlings shoot length (26.67 cm), seedling height (35 cm), seedling vigor index (3325) and minimum days to emergence (15.33) were observed in T 9 (peat, compost and traditional practicing media in 1:1:1 ratio). Maximum dry matter accumulation (34.80%) was recorded in T 1 (peat). Maximum benefit cost ratio (2.70) is calculated for T 0 : traditional practicing media (soil, sand and farmyard manure in 1:1:1 ratio). Optimum growth of tomato seedlings was observed when peat, compost and traditional practicing media were used in equal proportions.

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Cucumber crop was evaluated for the influence of seedling age on its production during two consecutive years of 2011 and 2012 on experimental area of National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. Nursery of cucumber was raised in polythene tubes under protected structures (walk-in tunnels). Seedling transplantation of three different ages viz., 30, 45 and 60 days were compared with direct seeding in the open field. Seedling transplantation produced fruits earlier (22 days), increased availability period (41 days) as compared to direct seeded crop. Transplantation of 45 and 60 days old seedlings produced higher fruits yield of cucumber with higher gross return and gross margin. The results revealed that transplantation of 45 to 60 days old seedlings was suitable for achieving fruits earlier and profitable cucumber production technology.

Abstract:Field experiments were conducted to determine the growth and yield of bitter gourd in response to seedling age during the years 2011 and 2012. Minimum days to 1st picking, maximum availability period, yield and net profit were observed in 40 days old seedlings and 100% survival rate was observed in all three (40, 50 and 60 days) ages of seedlings. Seedlings of varying ages did not fluctuate greatly in yield and yield components in the field, although, all seedlings had higher early yields than the directly seeded controls. Maximum gross margin (US $1777.7 haG 1 ) was achieved in 40 days old seedling as compared to direct seeded crop (US $337.5 haG 1 ). Results from these experiments suggest that 40 days may be reasonable target age for transplanting bitter gourd seedlings.