An Asian Journal of Soil Science

T. S. Punith Raj ¹, M. S. Nagaraja ², Prabhudev Dhumgond ¹, Sharanbhoopal Reddy ¹, K. M. Shivakumar ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K., Bengaluru (Karnataka), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot (Karnataka), IN
3 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Horticultural College, Sirasi (Karnataka), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2010-11 in the Hassan district of Karnataka with the objective to study the influence of foliar application of secondary and micro nutrients on yield and quality of tomato. Tomato was grown in plots of 6×3 m² size with nine different treatments in RCBD layout with 3 replications in a red sandy loam soil with slight alkaline pH. The foliar nutrition and soil amendment applications along with NPK fertilizers increased fruit weight significantly. Treatments receiving major nutrients and foliar sprays of secondary and micronutrients (T₂ - 2.34 kg plant^-1 and T₆ - 2.89 kg plant^-1) recorded slightly higher yield compared to T₁ (2.22 kg plant^-1) and T₅ (2.30 kg plant^-1). Treatment combinations of major nutrients, foliar sprays and soil amendment recorded the highest number of flowers and fruits in both UAS package and IIHR technology treatments. The shelf life of tomato increased with foliar spray and amendment applications (12-16 days) compared to major nutrients alone (9-11 days). The fruits from plots receiving all the three combinations recorded significantly higher TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid content. The quality parameters like TSS, ascorbic acid and acidity of tomato fruits in UAS package received plots was of the order T₄ > T₃ > T₂ > T₁. The trend remained similar with IIHR technology (T₈ > T₇ > T₆ > T₅). The plots receiving nutrients as per farmers practice produced lesser number of flowers and fruits. The fruit size and the yield was also lesser. Many of growth and yield parameters were found at par with T₁ and T₅ treatments. It was observed from the current study that the IIHR based treatments with foliar application of secondary and micronutrients and splits of N and K was better for increasing productivity.

Keywords

Foliar Nutrition, Yield, Quality, Tomato.

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T. S. Punith Raj ¹, M. S. Nagaraja ², Prabhudev Dhumgond ¹, Sharan Bhoopal Reddy ¹, K. M. Shivakumar ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, G.K.V.K., Bengaluru (Karnataka), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot (Karnataka), IN
3 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, (U.A.S.), Horticultural College, Sirsi (Karnataka), IN

Abstract

Hassan and Belur taluks are the major tomato growing areas in the district and hence, this study was restricted to these two talukas. Surface soil samples from a depth of 0-15 cm were collected from 80 tomato-grown plots. Study revealed that the soil pH ranged from neutral to alkaline range (6.9-8.5) while, the electrical conductivity was in the range of 0.05 to 0.95 dS m^-1. The soil organic-C content varied to a large extent 1.3 to 12.8 g kg^-1. The soil organic-C content was low in more than 50 per cent of tomato soils. The available nitrogen content ranged from 205.0 to 376.3 kg ha^-1. More than 70 per cent of tomato fields were found low in nitrogen. In contrast, both available phosphorus and potassium contents were found higher in majority of tomato grown soils. The available phosphorus was found high in almost all soils. Similarly, the available potassium content was higher in 90 per cent plots. None of the tomato grown soils were found lower in calcium while, 9 per cent of the fields recorded magnesium in lower. The available sulfur content was low in almost 68 per cent of tomato soils (5.6 ± 2.5 mg kg^-1) and only 9 per cent of fields recorded higher sulphur content. The DTPA-Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were found higher in 93, 91, 57 and 68 per cent of the tomato grown soils, respectively.

Keywords

Soil Fertility, Tomato, Nutrient Status.

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