Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and economics of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under central plains of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2025 at the Instructional Farm, Khudmudi, College of Horticulture and Research Station, Sankara-Patan, Durg (Chhattisgarh), India, to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and economics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and three replications using the variety ‘Pusa Ruby’. Among the treatments, application of 100% recommended NPK + 25% vermicompost (T6) produced the highest number of fruits per plant (49.02), fruit weight (69.52 g), fruit yield per plant (1.01 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (37,370 kg/ha), which was statistically at par with 100% NPK + 25% FYM and 100% NPK alone. The control treatment recorded the lowest fruit yield (15,540 kg/ha). The results clearly indicate that integration of chemical fertilizers with vermicompost significantly improves tomato productivity and offers a sustainable nutrient management option under the agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh.