Effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on vegetative growth, reproductive growth, and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. Pusa Sadabahar

Abstract

A study titled "Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. Pusa Sadabahar" was conducted during the summer season at the horticulture farm of Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical & Social Sciences, Faridipur, Sultanpur. The experiment included 12 treatments with and without bio-fertilizers, in conjunction with the Recommended Dose of Nutrients (RDF of 250 kg each of NPK per hectare), arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The findings revealed that the treatment involving the combined application of 100% RDF, Azotobacter, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) (T11) resulted in the highest growth parameters, including plant height (72.24 cm, 83.24 cm, and 98.37 cm) and the number of branches (13.40, 15.00, and 16.20) at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting, respectively. Additionally, this treatment led to the highest values in yield, economic returns, and quality characteristics, such as fruit weight (80.12 g), the number of fruits per plant (44.60), fruit yield per plant, and yield per hectare (3.57 kg and 794.07 quintals per hectare).