26. Interactive effect of calcium and magnesium on the growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)
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Abstract
Deficiency of calcium and magnesium has a negative impact on plant growth and yield. In this study quantitative parameters of growth and yield in Peshawar were studied by spraying different levels of calcium and magnesium on foliage of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.). Calcium chloride source was used as calcium at Ca1 (0%), Ca2 (0.15%), Ca3 (0.30%) and Ca4 (0.45%) and magnesium sulphate source was used as magnesium at Mg1 (0%), Mg2 (0.04%), Mg3 (0.08%) and Mg4 (0.12%) with 15 days interval after transplantation for a period of three months. The maximum plant height (75.78 cm), number of branches plant-1 (8.02), number of flowers cluster plant-1 (22.40), number of fruits plant-1 (33.04) and total yield (ton ha-1) (23.07) was observed in plants with 0.30% calcium application. Similarly, maximum plant height (72.98 cm), number of branches plant-1 (7.94), number of flowers cluster plant-1 (21.57), number of fruits plant-1 (31.01) and total yield (ton ha-1) (21.54) was observed in plants with 0.08% magnesium application. This study suggests that calcium and magnesium at the rate of 0.30% and 0.08 % with 15 days interval after transplantation significantly increase the yield and growth under the agro climatic and soil condition of Peshawar valley.
Keywords: Calcium; Magnesium; Tomato