Efficacy of biofertilizers in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L)

Abstract

An experiment was carried to study the response of biofertilizers (Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria each @ 2 kg ha -1) on growth, yield and quality of tomato at Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 2011-12. Anagha, a bacterial wilt and crack resistant variety of tomato developed by Kerala Agricultural University was selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included inoculation of anyone of the biofertilizer along with FYM (T1, T2, T3), inoculation of any two along with FYM (T4, T5, T6), inoculation of all the three biofertilizers along with FYM (T7), inoculation of all the three biofertilizers along with FYM and inorganic ( ½ and full dose) fertilizers (T8, T9) and control (T10 KAU POP). The study revealed that integrated application of farm yard manure, full dose of inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers (T9) exhibited superiority in terms of plant height and number of leaves. The number of branches was maximum when all the three biofertilizers were applied along with FYM (T7). The earliest flowering was recorded in plants inoculated with all the three biofertilizers along with FYM (T7) and individual application of FYM along with AMF (T2). The treatments T7, T2 and T9 recorded early harvests. The treatment T7 recorded the maximum fruit weight (34.15 g), fruit volume (38.20 cm3), fruit girth (15.31 cm) and number of seeds per fruit (136.75). It was followed by the treatment T9. The flesh thickness was maximum in T2 (3.43 mm) followed by T7 (3.27 mm). Integrated application of FYM, full dose of inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers (T9) recorded the highest number of fruits per plant (28.16), fruit yield per plant (814.70 g) and total fruit yield (20.81 t ha-1). Total soluble solids of tomato fruit was the highest in treatment T9 where FYM, inorganic fertilizers (full NPK) and biofertilizers were applied. The treatment T7, where FYM and all the three biofertilizers were applied, recorded the highest vitamin C (24.66 mg/100 g) content. Shelf life (18.66 days) of fruits was more in plants treated with FYM and AMF (T2). Higher uptake of nutrients was observed in integrated application of full dose of NPK and FYM along with all the three biofertilizers (T9). Application of biofertilizers improved available N, P2O5 and K2O contents in soil. The population of Azospirillum, AMF and Frateuria in the rhizosphere was also enhanced by the use of biofertilizers and was maximum in integrated application of FYM, ½ NPK and biofertilizers (T8). Regarding the economics of cultivation, the highest B:C ratio of 1.76 was recorded when full dose of NPK was applied along with all the three biofertilizers and FYM (T9). It was followed by the treatment T8 and T10 which recorded a B:C ratio of 1.45 and 1.40 respectively. From the study it can be concluded that inoculation of biofertilizers enhanced the growth, yield and quality of tomato. The available nutrient status, microbial population and health of soil were also improved by biofertilizer application. Overall assessment indicated that integrated application of all the three biofertilizers and FYM along with full dose of chemical fertilizer was the best for better growth, yield and soil health. The second best performance was obtained when FYM, inorganic fertilizers (½ NPK) and biofertilizers were applied, signifying that a reduction of 50 per cent chemical fertilizers is possible by using biofertilizers. Application of FYM and all the three biofertilizers together improved the biometric characters like weight, volume and girth of fruits.