EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ZINC AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF TOMATO

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at experimental plot of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka city., during the period from October, 2015 to March, 2016. Two factors experiment included three levels of Zinc i.e. Foliar application of Zinc Z0= control, Z1 = 0.5 kg/ha, Z2= 1 kg/ha and four levels of GA3 i.e G0 = control, G1= 50 ppm GA3, G2 = 75 ppm GA3, G3= 100 ppm GA3 respectively, was outlined in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Application of Zinc and GA3 influenced independently and in combination on growth, yield and quality of tomato. Individual application of Z1 @ 0.5 kg/ha gave the highest plant height, no. of leaves per plant, flower clusters per plant, flowers per cluster, fruit per cluster, fruit per plant, fruit weight per plant (2.519 Kg), fruit weight per plot (26.35 Kg), fruit yield (73.19 t/ha), TSS% (7.683), β-carotene (0.3600 mg per 100g), vitamin-C (104.8 mg per 100g) and G2 @ 75 ppm gave the highest plant height, number of leaves per plant, flower clusters per plant, fruit per plant, fruit weight per plot (22.62 kg), fruit yield (62.84 t/ha), TSS% (7.500), β-carotene (0.3344 mg per 100g), vitamin-C (97.44 mg per 100g). In case of combined effect, Z1G2 (Z1 @ 0.5 kg/ha + G2 @ 75 ppm) gave the highest plant height, no. of leaves per plant, flower clusters per plant, flowers per cluster, fruit per cluster, fruit per plant, fruit weight per plant (3.027 Kg), fruit weight per plot (33.31 Kg), fruit yield (92.54 t/ha), TSS% (8.00), β-Carotene (0.3967 mg per 100g), vitamin-C (114.1 mg per 100g). So, it can be concluded that Z1G2 (Z1 @ 0.5 kg/ha + G2 @ 75 ppm) is the best for growth, yield and quality of tomato