Effects of varieties and boron on growth and yield of summer tomato

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of varieties and boron (B) levels on growth and yield of summer tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) at the Germplasm Centre in the Department of Horticulture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali during the period from May, 2018 to September, 2018. Fifteen treatments were comprising (i) three summer tomato varieties (BARI hybrid tomato 4, 8 and 10) and (ii) five levels of boron as boric acid (0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 kg B ha-1) in all combinations. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used in the earthen pot (0.79 ft3) experimentation. The effects of varieties and boron levels showed significant variations (p <0.05) on growth and yield of summer tomato at different days after transplanting. Among the varieties at final count plant-1, delayed flowering (32.6 days), the highest plant height (93.8 cm), number of leaves (99.93), no. of branches (26.27), no. of flower clusters (18.53), no. of flowers (82.73), no. of fruits (51.87), longest fruit length (41.87 mm) and maximum fruit width (48.0 mm), weight of individual fruit (55.71 g) and total weight of fruits (2892.88 g) were observed in BARI hybrid tomato 8. In contrast, the lowest plant height (87.3 cm), no. of leaves (86.47), no. of branches (24.06), no. of flower clusters (15.87), no. of flowers (66.07), no. of fruits (37.33), weight of individual fruit (43.60 g) and total weight of fruits (1630.57 g) were found in BARI hybrid tomato 4; and early flowering (31.93 days), shortest fruit length (33.07 mm) and maximum fruit width (34.60 mm) were noticed in BARI hybrid tomato 10. Among the boron levels at final count plant-1, early flowering (29.67 days), the maximum no. of flower clusters (18.44), no. of flowers (89.11), no. of fruits (46.22) and total weight of fruits (2364.29 g) were recorded in 2 kg B ha-1 treatment; the maximum plant height (96.50 cm), no. of leaves (102.89), no. of branches (28.11), longest fruit length (42.89 mm) and maximum fruit width (46.78 mm) and weight of individual fruit (51.74 g) were obtained in 3 kg B ha-1 treatment. Conversely, delayed flowering (34.67 days), minimum plant height (83.50 cm), no. of leaves (87.56), no. of branches (21.78), no. of flower clusters (15.89), no. of flowers (63.56), no. of fruits (40.33), shortest fruit length (31.78 mm) and minimum fruit width (34.67 mm), weight of individual fruit (47.47 g) and total weight of fruits (1936.00 g) were recorded in control (0 kg B ha-1) treatment. Our results suggest that the inclusion of B (2–3 kg ha-1) with the current fertilization practice will enhance the growth and yield of summer tomato grown at AEZ (agro-ecological zone) 13 while BARI hybrid tomato 8 could be recommended as one of the promising varieties.