Effect of Different Sources of Nutrients on Productivity, Profitability and Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2020 to evaluate the efficacy of various sources of nutrients on the growth, quality, yield and economics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L). There were six nutrient management practices consisting of organic, inorganic and combined sources of nutrients, which were evaluated, in randomized block design with five replications. Among the practices, the state recommended nutrient management practice (Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 25 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2 kg ha-1 + Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)) performed well with respect to plant height (88.7), number of primary and secondary branches per plant (49.8), number of fruits per plant (11.6) and yield per hectare (25,794 kg). Whereas, the organic nutrient management (50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water) performed well with respect to gross return (Rs. 299288 ha-1), net return (Rs. 183844 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.59). The quality parameters like ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids (TSS) and titrable acidity were also higher under the organic source of nutrients compared to only chemical or integrated nutrient sources. It can be concluded that the productivity of tomatoes were higher under state recommended nutrient management practice (FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + Azophos @ 2 kg ha-1 + RDF). However for getting highly profitable and quality tomato production, the organic package – 50 % N requirement through organic manures (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost) + seedling treatment with Beejamrit + application of Ghanajeevamrit @ 250 kg ha-1, Jeevamrit @ 500 litres ha-1 time-1 twice a month with irrigation water can be recommended.