Vermicompost and NPK fertilizer effects on morpho-physiological traits of plants, yield and quality of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

B K Singh, K A Pathak, T Boopathi, B C Deka

Vegetable Crops Research Bulletin 73: 77-86, 2010
E-mail: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted with an objective to investigate the effects of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer application on morpho-physiological traits, yield and quality attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with an ultimate aim of optimizing nutrient requirements of tomato in mild-tropical agro-climate. The application of vermicompost together with NPK fertilizer increased plant height, leaf area, leaf weight, fruit weight, fruit yield, fruit density, post-harvest life and TSS of tomato. Application of vermicompost alone too increased the shelf-life by 250% and TSS beyond 4.5%, both of which are traits highly desirable for summer production of tomato and the related processing industry. Present study reveals that application of vermicompost in the amount of 7.5 t/ ha^-1 in combination with 50% dose of NPK fertilizer (60:30:30 kg/ ha^-1) was optimum for obtaining better quality and productivity of field grown tomatoes in mild-tropical agro-climate, eventually integrated nutrient supply will sustain the soil fertility and plant productivity eco-friendly.

Key words: vermicompost, NPK, tomato, growth, yield, quality