43. Effect of phosphorus with and without phosphate solubilizing bacteria on growth and yield of tomato
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Abstract
Tomato crop was evaluated for the effect of phosphorus and phosphate solubilizing bacteria, at Agricultural Research Station Buner, during March 2016. Randomized Complete Block Design was used, replicated three times. Different phosphorus levels (0, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg ha-1) with and without phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were used. The application of phosphorus (P) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) significantly influenced all the studied parameters. Phosphorus @ 125 kg ha-1 influenced early flowering (32days), maximum number of branches plant-1 (9.12), wider stem diameter (1.26 cm), maximum leaf area plant-1 (2340.3 cm2), increased plant height (81.62 cm), wider diameter of fruit (17.21 cm), maximum number of fruits plant-1 (64), higher yield (25.9 tons ha-1), maximum root length (14.62 cm) and maximum fresh root weight (89.92 gm). Application of phosphate solubilizing bacteria took minimum flowering days (31), maximum number of branches plant-1 (6.9), wider stem diameter (1.2 cm), increased plant height (76.34 cm), wider fruit diameter (13.62 cm), maximum number of fruits plant-1 (63.56), higher fruit yield (24.6 tons ha-1), maximum root length (14.27 cm), and maximum fresh root weight (87.94 gm), except leaf area plant-1 (1911 cm2). Hence it is concluded that phosphorus @ 125 kg ha-1, and seedlings inoculated with PSB resulted in maximum growth and yield in the study area.
Keywords: Bio fertilizer; Growth; Inorganic fertilizer; Solanum lycopersicum; Yield