Effect of zinc and boron application on growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato under protected cultivation

Abstract

Cherry tomato is a high-value horticultural crop known for its nutritional richness, market appeal and adaptability to protected cultivation systems. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly of zinc (Zn) and boron (B), can limit the crop’s growth, productivity and fruit quality. The present study was conducted during the rabi season of 2024–2025 at the Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj to evaluate the effect of foliar application of zinc and boron on growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) under protected cultivation. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 15 treatments and three replications, comprising individual and combined applications of zinc (30, 60, 90 ppm) and boron (30, 60, 90 ppm). Observations were recorded at regular intervals on various growth parameters (plant height, number of branches), reproductive traits (flowers and fruits per cluster, days to first harvest), yield and quality attributes (fruit weight, yield per plant and per hectare, total soluble solids, and vitamin C content). The results revealed that foliar application of zinc and boron significantly improved all studied parameters compared to the control. Among all treatments studied, the treatment T15 (Zinc @ 90 ppm & Boron @ 90 ppm) recorded the maximum plant height (235.28 cm at 120 DAT), number of branches (33.99), number of flowers per cluster (11.78), number of fruits per cluster (9.24), fruit length (4.87 cm), fruit girth (3.45 cm), average fruit weight (42.63 g), yield per plant (3.45 kg) and yield per hectare (191.67 t/ha), total soluble solids (8.32 °Brix) and vitamin C content (16.98 mg/100g), while also advancing earliness in harvest (80.25 days) followed by the treatment T14 (Zinc 90 ppm & Boron 60 ppm) having 229.47 cm plant height, number of branches (31.06), number of flowers per cluster (10.50), number of fruits per cluster (8.05), fruit length (4.55 cm), fruit girth (3.20 cm), average fruit weight (36.40 g), yield per plant (3.31 kg), earliest days to first harvest (80.47 days), yield per hectare (183.32 t/ha), total soluble solids (8.13 °Brix) and vitamin C content (16.71 mg/100g) and the minimum was found in T0 control. Thus, the study confirms that the combined foliar application of zinc and boron at higher concentrations enhances vegetative growth, reproductive efficiency, fruit yield, and quality in cherry tomato. These findings support the integration of micronutrient sprays as a cost-effective and efficient strategy for maximizing crop performance in protected environments.