Response of Different Level of Zinc and Boron on Growth, Flowering, Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) cv. ‘Pusa Cherry-1’

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of Zinc and Boron on the growth, yield, and quality of Cherry tomatoes. [Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Alef.) Fosberg] cv. ‘Pusa Cherry-1’ in Prayagraj, India.The purpose of the study is to evaluate the plants in terms of various parameters such as plant height, number of branches, plant spread, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to fruit setting, days to fruit picking, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruit set per cluster, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, acidity and benefit-cost ratio. The nine treatments applied in the study include control, Zinc at different concentrations (50 ppm and 100 ppm), and Boron at different concentrations (50 ppm and 100 ppm). The results of the study indicate that the application of Zinc and Boron significantly improved the growth and yield of Cherry tomatoes. The highest fruit yield, fruit weight, TSS, and ascorbic acid content were observed in the plants treated with Zinc at a concentration of 100ppm added Boron at a concentration of 100ppm. The benefit-cost ratio was also found to be higher in the treated plants compared to the control. Overall, the study suggests that the application of Zinc and Boron can be an effective and sustainable method for enhancing the growth, yield, and quality of Cherry Tomatoes.