Screening Tomato Genotypes for B–Recovery and Acquisition Potential in Calcareous Soils

Abstract

ABSTRACT Screening a suitable genotype is important for nutrient recovery and its acquisition potential. Twenty genotypes of tomato were studied under different doses of B-application. The indices of B use efficiencies, viz. apparent B recovery (ABR), fruit production efficiency (FPE), physiological efficiency (PE), agro-physiological efficiency (APE) and utilization efficiency ratio (UER) were worked out for tomato genotypes. The field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design for the two consecutive years, assigning three B levels (control i.e. without B application, @ 2.0 kg B ha−1 through borax and 0.25% boric acid foliar spray twice) in main plot and location-specific twenty tomato genotypes in subplots, replicated thrice. Soil applied B produced greater fruit yield than the twice foliar spray of 0.25% boric acid B. However, the tomato fruit yield was improved by 2–12% over control by soil applied B @ 2.0 kg B ha−1 through borax and twice foliar spray of B. Irrespective of genotypes, B content in fruit and shoot of tomato plant improved upon application of B. The apparent B recovery (ABR) and agronomic efficiency (AE) of B suggested that foliar application was more effective in comparison to soil application. The use efficiencies were highest in the cultivars NS–812 followed by NS–512 and B–9–2 in B-deficient calcareous soils with the application of 0.25% boric acid foliar spray twice. These genotypes could be a promising lines for breeding program for B enrichment in tomato for cultivation in B-deficient soils.