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Yield and Nutrient Content of Tomato as Influenced by the Application of Vermicompost and Chemical Fertilizers

S. Mukta
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh.

M. M. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh.

M. G. Mortuza
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the yield and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) as influenced by the application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications and comprised of 8 treatments viz., T₁ - control, T₂ - recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (CF), T₃ - vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 (VC₁), T₄ - vermicompost @ 10 t ha^-1 (VC₂), T₅ - VC1 + 50% CF, T₆ - VC₁ + 75% CF, T₇ - VC₂ + 50% CF and T₈ - VC₂ + 75% CF. Application of vermicompost @ 10 t ha^-1 along with 50% chemical fertilizers showed the best performance for plant height, number of leaves plant^-1, number of flowers branch^-1, number of fruits branch^-1, number of fruits plant^-1, fruit size and yield of tomato. Vermicompost treated soils significantly contributed the highest contents of sugar, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn & B in tomato, influenced nutrient status of the postharvest soil and conserved more organic C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn & B contents over control. However, soluble solids and vitamin C content in tomato were not significantly influenced by the application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. Results of the study demonstrate that the combined application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers would help to maintain the long-term soil productivity for sustainable tomato cultivation.

Keywords: Chemical fertilizer, Nutrient content, Tomato, Vermicompost, Yield

Location: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Tomato

Objectives:

To investigate the yield and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) as influenced by the application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers.

Methodology:

Vermicompost was collected from Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. In this experiment, tomato cv. BARI Tomato-14 was used as a test crop. Seeds were collected from Horticulture Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications. The pot experiment comprised of 8 treatments viz., T₁ - control (no compost and chemical fertilizers), T₂ - recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (CF), T₃ - vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 (VC₁), T₄ - vermicompost @ 10 t ha^-1 (VC₂), T₅ - vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 and 50% CF (VC₁ + 50% CF), T₆ - vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 and 75% CF (VC₁ + 75% CF), T₇ - vermicompost @ 10 t ha^-1 and 50% CF (VC₂ + 50% CF) and T₈ - vermicompost @ 10 t ha^-1 and 75% CF (VC₂ + 75% CF). After collection, soil samples were pulverized, air dried and then mixed thoroughly. Soil samples were placed in each pot at the rate of 10 kg pot^-1. Vermicompost and recommended doses of NPK fertilizers were mixed thoroughly with soil as per the experimental treatment. All treatments of this experiment were assigned at random to each unit pot for each replication. Different parameters such as plant height, number of leaves plant^-1, number of flowers branch^-1, number of fruits branch^-1, number of fruits plant^-1, fruit size and yield were recorded from all tomato plants. Plant samples were collected from each pot, dried in an oven at 60^οC for about 72 h and ground to pass through a 20-mesh sieve. The biochemical constituents like pH, vitamin C, reducing sugar and total soluble solids were measured from tomato fruits. The pH value of filtrable syrups prepared from fruit samples was measured by pH meter (Model: Jenway-3505); vitamin C was determined by indophenols dye extraction method and sugar content was estimated by determining the volume of unknown sugar solution of tomato pulp required for complete reduction of standard Fehling’s solution. Soil texture of initial and postharvest soils was determined by hydrometer method (Black, 1965). The pH of initial and post harvest soils was determined by pH meter (Model: Jenway 3505). Organic C content of soil samples was estimated by wet oxidation method. The determination of total-N in plant samples was performed by semi-micro kjeldahl method. Plant and fruit samples were digested by wet oxidation method using di-acid mixture (HNO₃:HClO₄ =2:1) for the determination of P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn and B contents. Available P in soil was extracted with NaHCO₃ (0.5M) at pH 8.5 and its content in both soil and plant extracts was determined by spectrophotometric method using stannous chloride (SnCl₂^.2H₂O) as reducing agent. Exchangeable K, Ca and Mg were obtained from soil samples by extracting with 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7 and K content in both extracts was determined by flame photometric method. The contents of Ca and Mg were estimated from both extracts by EDTA titrimetric method using Na₂EDTA as a complexing agent. Available S was extracted from soil samples using CaCl₂solution and S content in both soil and plant extracts was determined turbidimetrically with the help of spectrophotometer (Model: Labtronics LT-31). Available B was extracted with hot water from soil samples and its content in both extracts was determined by spectrophotometer (Model: Labtronics LT-31) using azomethine-H. Available Zn was extracted with Na2 EDTA from soil samples and Zn content was directly analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Model: Varian-55B). The recorded data were subjected to statistical analysis following Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the help of computer package program. The significance of difference between treatment means was evaluated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and the mean comparisons of treatments were adjusted by Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at 1% level of probability.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 115-122, 2015, ISSN 1999-7361

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Funding Source:

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Achievement/Findings:

From the study, it is concluded that vermicompost as organic fertilizer can reduce the application of chemical fertilizer for tomato cultivation and thus may minimize the cost of cultivation. Application of vermicompost at the rate of 10 t ha^-1 along with 50% chemical fertilizers showed the best performance in terms of yield and quality of tomato as well as soil fertility management. The combined application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers would help to maintain the long-term soil productivity for sustainable tomato cultivation.

Knowledge Management: Journal