Evaluation of bio-efficacy and phytotoxicity of SV size builder on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the bio-efficacy and phytotoxicity of the biostimulant SV SIZE BUILDER on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Arka Rakshak. The product was applied once as a soil drench at 40 days after transplanting (DAT) at rates of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 L acre-1, alongside control (water drench), recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) alone and RDF with recommended micronutrients. Application of SV SIZE BUILDER significantly improved morphological parameters (plant height, leaf area, leaf area index), physiological parameters (chlorophyll content) and yield attributes (fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and per hectare). The highest yield (61.75 t ha-1) was recorded with 10.0 L acre-1, representing a 13.43% increase over control (54.44 t ha-1). No phytotoxicity symptoms were observed at any dose. SV SIZE BUILDER proved safe and effective in enhancing growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency in tomato.