Effect of Bio fertilizer and micro nutrients on growth and seed yield in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill. )

Abstract

Effect of root dipping of bio-fertilizers (PSB and Azospirillum) and foliar spray of micronutrients (Zinc, Boron and Manganese) and their interactions on plant growth and seed yield was studied in Tomato cultivar “Utkal Kumari” developed from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar with 15 treatments and 3 replications. Application of PSB resulted in significant increase in all the growth parameters like number of primary branches (16.25), number of leaves per plant (86.26) and plant height (53.89 cm) and yield attributes like fruit yield (50.54 t/ha) and seed yield (215.05 kg/ha) followed by the application of Azospirillum. Mineral mixture application was significantly better for all growth parameters and ZnSO4 for yield attributes. Combination effects of bio-fertilizers and micronutrients were mostly similar during growth stages. However, for fruit and seed yield, interaction effect of PSB and ZnSO4 was significantly better than others followed by Azospirillum + mineral mixture. So, from the results it can be inferred that application of PSB as root dipping and mineral mixture as foliar spray are better during vegetative stage and combination of PSB and ZnSO4 is recommended for increasing fruit and seed yield for tomato.