EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF CALCIUM AND BORON ON TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.) PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL HEALTH IN KULLU VALLEY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2021-09-13
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Palampur
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2020-21 on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at the experimental farm of CSK HPKV Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre Bajaura district Kullu Himachal Pradesh. The experiment comprised of twelve treatments (Control, NPK +FYM, 0.3% CaCl2, 0.6% CaCl2, 0.34% B through Boric acid, 0.51% B through Boric acid, 0.3% CaCl2 + 0.34% B through Boric acid, 0.3% CaCl2 + 0.51% B through Boric acid, 0.6% CaCl2 + 0.34% B through Boric acid, 0.6% CaCl2 + 0.51% B through Boric acid, 0.017% B + Ca Metalosate and 0.034% B + Ca Metalosate) which were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. All the treatment combinations except control received uniform recommended rate of NPK and FYM. The foliar spray was applied at flowering and fruit formation stage. The results of the study revealed that foliar application of calcium and boron exerted a significant effect on the growth, yield and its attribute and foliar application of 0.034 % Ca+BMetalosate further recorded tallest plants, highest number of flowers per plant, maximum fruit weight and fruit diameter. The yield and quality parameters were also significantly affected by foliar application of 0.034 percent calcium and boron Metalosate. Maximum net returns were registered in treatment with 0.034 per cent calcium and boron Metalosate although, highest B:C ratio of 2.83 was recorded where calcium and boron Metalosate @ 0.017 percent was applied. Further, the foliar applied calcium + boronmetasolate @ 0.034% significantly improved the nutrient concentration and uptake by tomato fruit and straw. However, the foliar application of calcium and boron did not exert any significant effect on soil pH and organic carbon but the availability of nutrients in soil was improved considerably due to Ca and B supplements. It may be concluded that while taking parameters in relation to productivity of tomato and soil health, foliar spray of calcium + boron Metalosate@ 0.034 percent applied as at flowering and fruit formation stage along with recommended rate of NPK+FYM can be recommended for kharif tomato production in Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh