Effect of phosphorus fertilizer and shoot pruning on growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
2023
OLAYINKA, B U | ABDULBAKI, A S | OYEWOLE, M | JACOBS, O E | ABDULKAREEM, K A | LAWAL, A R | ABDULRAUF, L B | KAREEM, I | MUHAMMED, G Y | EZEKEKWU, C P | MUSTAPHA, O T
Phosphorus fertilization or pruning as sole practice has been established to enhance tomato yield. However, there is a dearth of knowledge when both practices are combined. Under potted experiment, two tomato varieties (Tomato 82-B and Local) were subjected to 13 treatment combinations of phosphorus fertilization and pruning between June and September, 2021 in a garden situated at Ilorin, Nigeria. In both varieties, plants receiving 30 kg P/ha + two-stem pruning recorded highest growth indices. Marketable fruit yield was remarkably enhanced under 45 kg P/ha + four-stem pruning and 30 kg P/ha + two-stem pruning in local and Tomato 82-B respectively. Local variety showed more vigorous growth and yield than Tomato 82-B. Proximate compositions showed inconsistent results. Ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and lycopene were highest in tomato plants receiving 60 kg P/ha + four-stem pruning, 15 kg P/ha + three-stem pruning and 45 kg P/ha + four-stem respectively. Tomato 82-B had higher ascorbic acid and beta-carotene than the local variety. Conclusively, four-stem pruning + 45 kg/ha and two-stem pruning + 30 kg/ha are considered optimum for improving the yield of tomato varieties studied and that combination of pruning and phosphorus fertilization showed little influence on the fruit quality.
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