Optimization of Zinc and Boron Levels for Better Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted at the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period of November, 2017 to March, 2018 to optimize different levels of Zn and B for better growth and yield attributes of tomato (cv. Ruma VF). The experiment included two factors [factor- A viz., control (Zn0 ), Zn @ 4.0 kg ha-1 (Zn4),  Zn @ 6.0 kg ha-1 (Zn6) and Zn @ 8.0 kg ha-1 (Zn8) and factor B viz., control (B0), B @ 2.0 kg ha-1 (B2) and B @ 3.0 kg ha-1 (B3)], which was laid out in a completely randomized block design with 4 replications, thus total number of pots were 48. Zinc sulphate and boric acid were applied as the source of Zn and B that were applied during pot preparation along with recommended doses of N, P, K and S. The study revealed that application of different doses of Zn increased number of flower clusters plant-1 at 80 days after transplanting, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruits plant-1 and yield of tomato up to 4.0 kg ha-1. Similarly, application of B @ 2.0 kg ha-1 produced the highest number of flower clusters plant-1, fruit length and fruit diameter. On the other hand, the highest number of fruits plant-1 and yield of tomato were obtained by the application of B @ 3.0 kg ha-1 which was statistically similar to the application of B @ 2.0 kg ha-1. Combined application of Zn and B, @ 4.0 and 2.0 kg ha-1, respectively appeared as the best practice for better growth and yield of tomato, and therefore it may be recommended to boost up tomato productivity.