Impact of Different Sources of Boron on Yield and Quality of Tomato cv. Anand Roma

Abstract

In India, tomato occupies a prominent position among vegetable crops due to its wide adaptability, high yield potential, and economic returns. Among essential micronutrients, boron plays a pivotal role in plant growth and development. In Indian soils, boron deficiency has been observed to range from 2.9% to 60.0%. The study aims to investigate the impact of different sources of boron on the yield and quality of the tomato cv. Anand Roma. A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif–Rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at Horticulture Research Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. The data recorded from the various observations were tabulated and then subjected to statistical analysis by using the method of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and comprised nine treatments: T₁ – absolute control, T₂ – foliar spray of borax @ 0.2%, T₃ – foliar spray of boric acid @ 0.2%, T₄ – foliar spray of nano boron @ 100 ppm, T₅ – foliar spray of nano boron @ 200 ppm, T₆ – foliar spray of nano boron @ 300 ppm, T₇ – foliar spray of nano boron @ 400 ppm, T₈ – soil application of 1 kg boron through borax, and T₉ – soil application of 1 kg boron through boric acid. Foliar sprays were carried out at 40, 55, and 70 days after transplanting. The highest fruit equatorial diameter (4.83 cm), polar diameter (7.71 cm), fruit volume (86.61 cc), number of fruits per plant (33.76), fruit weight (85.14 g), and maximum yield per ha (432.21 q) was obtained with treatment T4 (foliar application of nano boron @ 100 ppm) while, the highest TSS (5.56 0Brix), lycopene (20.58 mg/100g), maximum total sugar content in fruit (0.86 %) and minimum titrable acidity content in fruit (0.42 %)  was found in treatment T5 (Foliar spray of nano boron @ 200 ppm). From the present investigation, it can be concluded that among different sources of boron, foliar spray of nano boron @ 100 ppm or borax @ 0.2 % at 40, 55 and 70 DATP observed maximum yield parameters and yield, while better quality parameters were found with foliar spray of nano boron @ 200 ppm at 40, 55 and 70 DATP.