SENSITIVITY OF TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON-ESCULENTUM) CULTIVARS TO HIGH-TEMPERATURE POLLINATION AND FRUIT-SET UNDER PLASTIC RAIN SHELTER

Seven tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. nom. cons.) cultivars, viz 'BT 1', 'Arka Alok', 'LE 79', 'VC 48-1', 'Best of All', 'Arka Abha' a nd 'AC 238', were planted in March and July under plastic cover at Jor hat. Total pollen production, viable pollen (%), exserted styles, spli tting of antheridial cone and fruit-setting varied with cultivars and planting seasons. 'BT 1' was found resistant to style exsertion in bot h the plantings, whereas 'Arka Abha' was resistant only when it was pl anted in March. 'BT 1' also showed resistance to splitting of antherid ial cone in both the planting seasons. The highest fruit setting of 27 .85 and 22.38% was observed in 'BT 1' in March and July plantings resp ectively.