Journal of Horticultural Sciences

B. L. Kashinath ¹, A. N. Ganesha Murthy ², T. Senthivel ³, G. James Pitchai ⁴, A. T. Sadashiva ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore - 560 089, IN
2 Division of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore 560 089, IN
3 Gandhi Gram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, IN
4 Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, IN

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for two years on Alfisols to assess the effect of applied magnesium on fruit yield and quality parameters in tomato. Magnesium was applied at four levels ranging from 0 to 100 kg/ha in the form of MgSO₄. Applied Mg significantly enhanced fruit yield up to 50kg /ha during the two years of experimentation. Tomato quality parameters viz., total titrable acidity, content of lycopene, total carotenoids and ascorbic acid differed significantly among treatments. Applied Mg significantly improved quality. Highest lycopene content, carotenoids and ascorbic acid in the fruit was recorded in Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) + MgSO₄ @ 50Kg/ha followed by RDF + MgSO₄ @ 75 kg/ha. Lowest values for the above parameters were observed in the treatment receiving RDF alone in both the years.

Keywords

Tomato, Titratable Acidity, Lycopene, Total Carotenoids, Ascorbic Acid, Yield.

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