Effect of short term waterlogging on plant morphology, chlorophyll and carotenoid content of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. Mill) during vegetative stage

An experiment was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with an aim to investigate the effect of short term waterlogging on four popular Khariftomato cultivars of Odisha (Utkal Pallavi, Utkal Dipti, Utkal Kumari and Utkal Pragyan). 45 days old tomato plants were subjected to 15 cm of stagnant water for a period of 0,1,2 and 3 days. High survivability under 1 and 2 days of waterlogging were recorded in U.Kumari of about 80%and 60% respectively because of high adventitious root formation, whereas all the plants died under 3 days of waterlogging due to root hypoxia. Under short term waterlogging for 2days U.Pragyan was highly affected showing a maximum decrease in plant height, leaf area and other morphological character with respect to control and other cultivars.