Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on the Growth, Yield and Soil Nutrient Status in Tomato

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Integrated Research Farm of Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST) at Bandegaon, Lalitpur, Nepal during 2009 to scrutinize the effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on the growth, yield and soil nutrient status to tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten). Following a randomized complete block design, 9 treatments with 3 replications were maintained. The study revealed that the integration of organic manures in combination with inorganic fertilizers was found significant in improving the overall plant growth, yield and soil macro nutrient status than the sole application of either of these nutrients. Maximum plant height and number of leaves per plant were observed with treatment 16.66 mt/ha FYM + 8.33 mt/ha Vermicompost + NPK. The earlier of days to 50% flowering was observed in treatment 20 mt/ha FYM. Highest number of fruit clusters, maximum fruit weight and fruit yield (25.74 mt/ha) were recorded in treatment 16.66 mt/ha FYM + 8.33 mt/ha Vermicompost + NPK. The pH value was found near to neutral in treatment 10 mt/ha vermicompost. Similarly, the maximum organic matter percentage was also recorded in treatment 10 mt/ha vermicompost. The highest available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were found in treatment ½ NPK + 15 mt/ ha vermicompost.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v12i0.6474

Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 12 (2011) 23-28