Effect of Boron Fertilization and Boron Enriched Organic Manures on Yield Boron Use Efficiency and Nutrient Uptake by Tomato in Coastal Soil

Abstract

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development, playing a pivotal role in various physiological processes within the plant. In tomato cultivation, maintaining adequate boron levels is crucial for achieving optimal yield and quality. However, due to factors such as soil type, environmental conditions, and plant genetics, boron deficiency or inefficient utilization often poses challenges for growers, leading to reduced productivity and economic losses in coastal regions of Tamilnadu. This study investigates the effect of boron fertilization and boron enriched organic manures on yield boron use efficiency and nutrient uptake by tomato in coastal soil. A field experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Varagurpettai coastal village, near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu, during July-November, 2022 using tomato variety NTH-777 as test crop. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture and taxonomically classified as Typic Ustifluvent with pH-8.39, EC-4.07 dSm-1 and analysed low status of organic carbon (2.47 g kg-1). The soil analysed low in alkaline KMnO4–N (145.71 kg ha-1) and Olsen-P (10.57 kg ha-1) and medium in NH4OAc-K (157.42 kg ha-1). The available hot water soluble B content (0.27 mg kg-1) was also low in soil. The various treatments imposed in the study included T1–Control (RDF alone/100% NPK), T2–RDF + Composted coirpith (CCP) @ 12.5 t ha-1, T3–RDF + CCP + Borax (B) @ 10 kg ha-1 through soil application (SA), T4–RDF + CCP + Borax (B) through foliar application (FA) @ 0.5% twice @ pre flowering stage (PFS) and flowering stage (FS),  T5–RDF +CCP + Borax (SA) + (FA), T6–RDF + CCP + Borohumate (BH) @ 15 kg ha-1 soil application (SA), T7 –RDF + CCP + Borohumate (FA), T8–RDF + CCP + Borohumate (SA) + FA, T9–RDF + Borax Enriched Composted coirpith (BECCP) @ 6.25 t ha-1 (SA), T10–RDF + Borohumate Enriched Composted coirpith (BHECCP) @ 6.25 t ha-1 (SA), T11–RDF + BECCP (SA) + Borax (FA) and T12–RDF + BHECCP (SA) + Borohumate (FA). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The results of the field experiment clearly indicated that integrated application of NPK fertilizer along with B enriched organic manures + biofertilizer and foliar spray of borohumate (BH) positively increased the growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake by tomato. This treatment recorded the highest agronomic efficiency (4.10 t kg-1), agro physiological efficiency (20.45 t kg-1), apparent recovery efficiency (43.45%), physiological efficiency (14.30 t kg-1) and boron use efficiency (410.34). This research contributes to the development of boron utilization dynamics and this study paves the way for future advancements in nutrient management strategies tailored to maximize yield and quality in tomato production systems.