EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND MANURES ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University during the period from October 2021 to March 2022 for assessing the effect of different organic and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of tomato. The experiment consisting of single factor with eight treatments viz. T 1 = Control, T 2 = Recommended dose of nutrients, T 3 = 70% nutrients from fertilizer + 30% nutrients from cowdung, T 4 = 50% nutrients from fertilizer + 50% nutrients from cowdung, T 5 = 70% nutrients from fertilizer + 30% nutrients from compost, T 6 = 50% nutrients from fertilizer + 50% nutrients from compost, T 7 = 100% nutrients from cowdung (21 t ha -1 ) and T 8 = 100% nutrients from compost (16 t ha ). Seeds of tomato cv. ‘BARI Tomato-4’ were used in the experiment. This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three (3) replications. Data were collected on different aspects of growth, yield attributes, yield and harvest index of tomato including soil properties and nutrient contents. At all 30, 60 and 90 DAT, the longest (49.40, 73.70 and 107.5 cm) plant was recorded from T 5 (70% nutrient from fertilizer + 30% nutrient from compost). The highest (21.24) number of fruits per plant was recorded from T 6 (50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost), while the lowest (13.20) number of fruits per plant was recorded from T 1 (Control) treatment. The longest (6.60 cm) fruit length was recorded from T 6 (50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost), while the shortest (5.22 cm) fruit length was recorded from T 1 (Control) treatment. The longest (12.40 cm) fruit diameter was recorded from T 6 (50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost), while the shortest (9.72 cm) fruit diameter was recorded from T 1 (Control) treatment. The highest (38.60 g) fruit weight was recorded from T 6 (50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost), while the lowest (33.20 g) fruit weight was recorded from T 1 (Control) treatment. The highest (16.52 kg plot -1 ) fruit yield was recorded from T 6 (50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost). The highest levels of organic carbon (0.55 %) and available soil phosphorus concentration (23.27 ppm) in post-harvest soil were recorded in T 6

(50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost) treatment. The highest (1.34 meq/100g soil) potassium was recorded from the same T 6 (50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost) treatment. From the result, it can be said that higher amount of organic manure along with traditional chemical fertilizer improved soil organic carbon and increased availability of essential plant nutrients in soil solution. So, T 6 : 50% nutrient from fertilizer + 50% nutrient from compost application seemed promising for higher fruit yield of tomato and maintaining soil productivity and fertility.