Effect of boron addition to sandy cultue on yield and quality attributes of tomatoes

Abstract EN

A Pot experiment was conducted under polyethylene chamber to evaluate the effect of Boron (B) with or without Potassium on quality and yield of tomato.

The seeds of tomato plant Solanum Lycopersicum were sown and the seedlings were then transplanted in pots with 34 cm depth and 24 cm diameter filled with 10 kg of pure culture specified for tomato cultivation, which was washed with distilled water.

The soil was supplied with B at four levels of 0, 6, 9 and 18 mgkg-1 using Na2B4O7.

10H2O and Potassium (KCl) at one level of 156 mgkg-1.

The results showed that Boron in concentrations of 6, 9 mg kg-1 increased the yield of tomato by 22% (1113 g/plant) over the control experiment (810 g/plant).

The treatment also increased the fruit size with an average of 59 g as compared to the control.

The high concentration B3 resulted in a less yield (494 g/plant and 35 g for fruit weight) as compared to B0.

An increase in carotenoid content (16 ug g-1) in the fruits was observed with the B concentration of 6 and 9 mgKg-1, which was not observed in the case of using potassium, with which the maximum level of carotenoids was 13ugg-1.

The acidity% increased with increasing the concentration of boron with potassium at 0.82% .

The highest concentration of vitamin C (28.5 mg 100 g-1) in tomato fruits was achieved with a treatment of low B concentration and potassium.

The highest sugar content 4.23% was obtained the medium concentration of B without potassium.

As for the ratio of sugar/acid, the value of 10: 80 which is considered unacceptable from the taste point of view, was recorded for K0B3 treatment.

This ratio decreased to 6.72 when potassium was applied.

It was found that a medium concentration of B is necessary to reduce the luxury orption of potassium.

Also concluded was that B can affect the quality attributes of tomato particularly sugar/acid ratio, which is important organoleptic parameter to be considered in tomato consumption.