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Effectiveness of Soil and Foliar Applications of Zinc and Boron of the Yield of Tomato

H. M. Naser
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

S. Sultana
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

N. U. Mahmud
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

M. H. Rashid
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

S. Akhter
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

R. A. Begum
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was carried out to study the effectiveness of soil and foliar application of micronutrients on the yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARl), Joydebpur, Gazipur. Foliar applications of micronutrients are said to be more suitable than the soil application, due to the rapid overcoming on deficiency,easiness in use, and to reduce the toxicity caused by accumulation and prevent the elements stabilization in the soil. With that end in view, the micronutrients; zinc (Zn) in the form of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄.7H₂O) at the rate of 0.05% and and boron (B) in the form of boric acid (H₃BO₃) at the rate of 0.03% were applied as foliar spray at three different stages of tomato growth i. e (i) before flower initiation; (ii) after fruit set when it becomes approximately marble sized; and (iii) at 20 days interval of second spray. The tomato yield and its contributing yield traits were significantly affected by foliar fertilizer treatments as against soil application of Band Zn fertilizers. Among various treatments, foliar application of Zn (0.05 %) + B (0.03%) produced maximum fruit yield (81.3 t ha^-1) while the control no use of Zn (0.0) and B (0.0) produced 63.6 t ha^-1 and and it was statistically differed with soil application of Band Zn @ 2 and 6 kg ha^-1 (T₅), respectively. The increment of yield was 18.9 to 27.8% and 6.03 to 14.0% respectively, over control and soil application. The integrated use of foliar application of micronutrients and soil application of macronutrients could be recommended to enhance tomato yield. This paper also suggested that, foliar application of micronutrients i.e Zn and B could be an effective technology for increasing the yield of tomato in alkaline soils

Keywords: Zinc, Boron, Tomato, Yield, Soil, Foliar application

Location: Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil fertility, Tomato

Objectives:

To identify a suitable combination of Zn and B fertilization for tomato production; and
To compare the effects of the method of foliar application of micronutrient vs. soil fertilization on the yield of tomato

Methodology:

Field research was conducted at the micronutrient experimental field of Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur. The experiment was laid out in a RCBD with three replications. The unit plot was 3 m x 3 m. Two adjacent unit plots were separated by 75 cm and 1 m space was given between the blocks. Land was separated in to two part viz., (a) - part for foliar application and (b) - part for soil application. Part (a) was consist of 12 unit plot and (b) part was consists of 3 unit plot. During final land preparation on 29 November 2013, fertilizers were applied to the soil at the rate of N₁₄₀, P₄₅, K₉₀ and S₁₈ kg ha^-1 as urea, triple supper phosphate, muriate of potash and gypsum respectively, in both (a) and (b) applications plot. For soil fertilization, at the same time Band Zn was applied at the rate of 2 and 6 kg ha^-1 in soil application part (b). BARI Tomato-15 was used in this experiment. Healthy and uniform sized 30 days old seedlings were transplanted at 60cm x 50cm spacing on 1 December 2013. Inter cultural operations were done as and when needed. To study the effect of Zn and B as foliar spray on growth and yield of tomato, two micronutrients Zn and B at a single rate alone and at different combinations in the form of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄. 7H₂O) containing 23% Zn at the rate of 0.05% and boric acid (H₃BO₃) having 18% boron at the rate of 0.03% were applied as foliar spray at three different stages of plant growth (i) before flower initiation; (ii) after fruit set when it becomes approximately marble sized; and (iii) at 20 days interval of second spray. The treatment combinations of foliar spray of Zn and B were T₁: Zn (0.0 %) + B (0.0%) - control; T₂: Zn (0.05 %) + B (0.0%); T₃: Zn (0.0 %) + B (0.03%; and T₄: Zn (0.05 %) + B (0.03%). Soil fertilization treated as T₅: Zn (6) and B (2) kg ha^-1 was applied basal as stated above. The solution of all treatments were prepared and contained urea at the rate of 0.08 % to activate mineral absorption and surf (detergent) used as wetting agent at the rate of 0.01 % for reducing contact angle between the liquid and leaf surface. The volume of water 1.0 liter plant^-1 was estimated (3 split at three different stages of plant growth viz., 300 ml + 300 ml + 400 ml of solution, approximate to wet completely the tomato plant. The spray solution was prepared separately on the basis of 2.17 mg and 1.67mg of ZnSO₄. 7H₂O and H₃BO₃ in 1.0 liter of water respectively. Urea at the rate of 1.74 mg and surf 0.1 mg liter^-1 as a wetting agent were applied along with each treatment. The foliar spray contained Zn (0.05%) and B (0.03%), amended with surfactant to curtail water desertion during the spray process, to ensure the nutrients adhered to the leaf surface, and to maximize uptake by foliage. Data were collected on fruit diameter, fruit height, individual fruit weight and fruit yield of tomato and recorded data were analyzed statistically and means were compared by Tukey's multiple comparisons test using Excel Statistics version 4.0 (Esumi Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). To compare different treatments combination with control/soil application treatment the following equation was applied (Rhaman et al., 2011). MBCR (over control)= {(Gross return (T₁) - Gross return (T₀)} / {VC (T₁) - VC (T₀)}. = {Added benefit (over control) / Added cost (over control)}. Where T_i = T₁, T₂, T₄, T₅ treatments; T₀ = Control treatment; VC = Variable cost; and Gross return = Yield x price.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report, 2013-2014; Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The foliar application of micronutrients; viz, Zn and B proved to be an effective technology for increasing the yield of tomato in alkaline soils.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings