Effect of soaking tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seeds in organic nutrient solutions on germination and seedling growth parameters

Abstract The paper deals with investigation of growth parameters of vegetative organs, peroxidase and catalase activities of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. treated with a systemic fungicide and acetylsalicylic acid, respectively. Our results showed that both fungicide and acetylsalicylic acid lead to growth delays in tomato stems and leaves compared to control samples. During the growth, pathogen was rapidly inhibited by tomatoes treated with acetylsalicylic acid, affecting few plants (10%) compared to control group (40%). Results showed that samples treated with acetylsalicylic acid and control samples fructified better (30% higher) than tomatoes treated with fungicide. The latter did not suffer pathogen attack, but catalase activity was increased (107 mg H2O2/100 g FW) indicating oxidative stress. Activity of catalase and peroxidase in control and acetylsalicylic acid treated plants were of similar increased values, probably due to the pathogen infection. In particular, peroxidase activity increased during tomato fructification. Alternative substitution of fungicides with aspirin may improve tomato quality and production.

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Effects of Individual and Combined Application of Organic Plus NPK (15:15:15) Fertilizers on the Growth Parameters of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum. Mill)

Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture Research ◽

10.33140/jahr.02.01.08 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Plant Height ◽

Root Length ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Loamy Sand ◽

Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill ◽

Combined Application ◽

Number Of Leaves

Research was carried out to evaluate the effects of individual and combined application of organic, NPK (15:15:15), organic plus NPK (15:15:15), fertilizers on the growth parameters of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum. Mill) in the greenhouse condition of The Oke – Ogun Polytechnic, Saki (Derived savannah), Oyo State, Nigeria. Study was conducted in complete randomized design (CRD). Treatments were at four levels and replicated three times. The soil used was loamy sand. Results showed that the highest average number of leaves (140), number of roots (136), root girth (19.3 cm) and root length (40.8 cm) were achieved in organic plus NPK, highest average plant height (78.4 cm) and stem girth (7.6 cm) was achieved at 50 gm level of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer treatment, while the highest average leaf area (45.6 cm2) was achieved at 50 gm level of organic fertilizer, the control values were far reduced compared to other levels of treatments. The analysis of variance indicated that organic fertilizer, organic plus NPK (15:15:15) fertilizers had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on number of roots, plant height, stem girth, root girth, leaf area, root length and number of leaves. NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on number of leaves, plant height and leaf area and no significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on number of roots, stem girth, root girth and root length, however, 50 gm level of treatment of organic fertilizer had distinct improved significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on four (4) growth parameters; number of leaves, stem girth, root girth and root length when compared with other levels of treatments for NPK (15:15:15), organic plus NPK (15:15:15) fertilizers, therefore, 50 gm level of organic fertilizer could be applied for better production of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum. Mill) in a loamy sand soil.

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