RESPONSE OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) TO BORAX AND BORONATED SUPER PHOSPHATE IN A CALCAREOUS RED SOIL

Abstract

In calcareous soils where the uptake of boron (B) is depressed, foliar B application may be more effective than soil application. The present study describes an experiment on B uptake in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), in a calcareous soil. Foliar Application significantly increased the concentration and uptake of B as well as the fruit yield of tomato and its biomass at 50% flowering. The concentration of B was lessser in fruits than the foliage and root of tomato. Application of B through foliar spray was equally or more effective in increasing fruit yield in calcareous soils. Tomato yield also significantly increased with the addition of soil applied borax and boronated superphosphate. The hybrid tomato yielded more fruit but responded similarly to the non-hybrild to B fertilisation.