SCIENTISTS AT the Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, have developed a hybrid

tomato. The new tomato has a high yielding potential, which is highly suitable for cultivating in western India covering semi-arid lower plateau and central high lands. Released for commercial cultivation by the farmers in the name `Pusa Hybrid-8', the new tomato hybrid can stand long distance transportation. This early-maturing F1 hybrid grows to a height of 90 cm, and it takes 120 days from transplanting to fruit ripening in spring-summer and about 105 days in autumn. The hybrid tomato is of determinate type with dark green foliage. It yields very attractive, round fruits, which weigh on an average about 60-70 g each. The medium-sized fruits have three locules with thick pericarp and they ripen uniformly. It can be grown in spring-summer season in north Indian plains and as main crop in July-August (sowing) in semi-arid lower plateau and central high lands. When raised in spring-summer season, the crop is virtually free from all major pests and diseases. However, the fruit borers do attack the plants, and they can be effectively controlled by using ecofriendly botanical insecticides, according to the scientists of IARI. Pusa Hybrid-8 is responsive to both higher doses of nutrients and normal fertility status of the soils. The plants need good staking to get higher yields. Application of organic manures and biofertilizers will prove to be rewarding. It has been found to do well in the multi-location trials and farmers' holdings and it has shown its yield superiority over the other varieties and hybrids tested along with it. Its female parent is of determinate type with light green foliage and it yields medium, round fruits with smooth skin. The fruits turn yellow upon uniform ripening, and weigh on an average 60 g each. The male parent is also of determinate type, and it yields slightly larger fruits weighing about 70 g each. The fruits of the male parent are smooth with two locules and thick pericarp. Both the parents are mildly susceptible to the leaf curl virus during the Kharif season, according to the scientists. The female parent can set fruits even at very low temperatures. Pusa Hybrid-8 is a F1 hybrid and it does not resemble any variety. It is developed by combining two good combiners having wider variability in shape and plant type and other desirable traits. Based on its excellent field performance, the tomato is recommended for commercial cultivation at the XX Group Meeting on Vegetable crops held at the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Vellanikkara in April 2002.

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In the recent years, the Institute has released tomato hybrid Arka Ananya, with combined resistant to Tomato Leaf Curl Virus and Bacterial wilt, chilli hybrids Arka Meghana tolerant to thrips and viruses, Arka Harita and Arka Suphal of chilli tolerant to powdery mildew, high yielding male sterility base chilli hybrid Arka Swetha, bacterial wilt brinjal hybrid Arka Anand, high yielding onion hybrids based on male sterility Arka Lalima and Arka Kirthima are a few which have made significant impact in production and higher economic gains.