Response of Hybrid Tomato (Solanum lycopersiucm L) for Calcium Nutrition: Growth, Root Traits and SPAD Index

Aims: To evaluate the effect of various sources and levels of calcium fertilisation in improving the growth and SPAD index of hybrid tomato at different growth stages.

Study Design: Factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Devarayapuram village, Thondamuthur block, Coimbatore from January to April, 2021.

Methodology: A field experiment was conducted with hybrid tomato (Solanum lycopersiucm L) Shivam by using various organic and inorganic calcium sources viz., calcium sulphate, calcium nitrate, calcium silicate, poultry manure and pressmud applied at different levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 kg Ca ha-1) in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The growth parameters such as plant height, root length, lateral root length, root volume and SPAD index were recorded as per standard protocols at different plant growth stages.

Results: A linear increase in the plant growth, root traits and SPAD index of hybrid tomato was noted by the addition of organic and inorganic sources of calcium and the highest values were observed with the application of 80 kg Ca ha-1. Higher plant height (93.8 cm), root length (16.8 cm), lateral root length (13.3 g cc-1) and SPAD index (62.0) was registered with poultry manure applied at 80 kg Ca ha-1 which was followed by pressmud applied at the same level. Skipping of calcium in the fertiliser schedule registered the lowest growth response of hybrid tomato at all the growth stages.

Conclusion: Inorganic Ca fertiliser sources though improved the growth, root traits and SPAD index of hybrid tomato at different growth stages, and it was comparatively lesser than the organic sources such as poultry manure and pressmud as calcium sources. The order of better growth performance was: Poultry manure > Pressmud > Ca silicate > Ca Nitrate > Ca sulphate. The lowest values of all the growth attributes were noted with NPK control. It was concluded that application of poultry manure at 80 kg Ca ha-1 would be effective in improving the growth, root traits and SPAD index of hybrid tomato.