INFLUENCE OF KAOLIN AND MICRONUTRIENTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUMMER TOMATO AT DIFFERENT MOISTURE LEVELS

Abstract

A pot experiment was carried out at Horticulture Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from May 2015 to October 2015. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: moisture levels; I 0 100% ET

(evapotranspiration) moisture, I 1 ii - 80% ET moisture and I 2 -60% ET moisture and Factor B: foliar application of kaolin and micronutrients; F 0 - control (spraying tap water only), F 1 : spraying of kaolin 2% solution and micronutrients (B, Mn & Se) @ 50 ppm for each of the nutrient solution. F 2 : spraying of kaolin 4% solution and micronutrients (B, Mn & Se) @ 100 ppm for each of the nutrient solution. The two factors experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design with three replications. Application of kaolin and micronutrients at different moisture levels showed significant variations on most of the parameters. In the case of moisture levels effect, I 1 provided the maximum yield (1.21 kg/plant) with improved color and texture. Regarding foliar treatment of kaolin and micronutrients, F 2 provided the maximum yield (1.18 kg/plant) and better quality. The maximum growth, yield (1.43 kg/plant) and best quality (rich in Vitamin-C and TSS) tomato was found from the treatment combination I 1 F 2 .