Response of Some Physiological Parameters of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties to Manure, Chemical Fertilizer and Their Combined Uses

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of manure, chemical fertilizers and their combined uses on yield and some physiological parameters of tomato varieties, an experiment was conducted as split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Birjand in 2014. In this experiment fertilizer with 3 levels (manure, chemical fertilizer and their combined uses) asseigned to main plots and three tomato varieties (Orbana, Super chief and Super majar) to sub plots. Physiological parameters under study were LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR which measured every 10 days after the seedling establishment. The results showed significant effects of fertilizer and varieties on these parameters. The highest leaf area index (3.56) was obtained by the used of chemical fertilizers and the lowest (3) by the application of manure. Orbana possessed the highest LAI (4) and Super chief the lowest LAI (2.78). In this experiment, the highest crop growth rate (CGR) belonged to Orbana by the use of combined application of fertilizers and the lowest to Super Chief by the use of manure. Plants treated with chemical fertilizer had the highest relative growth rate (RGR) and those treated with their combined application and manure stood in the lower categories. The highest total tomato yield was related to the use of chemical fertilizer and the lowest to the use of combined fertilizers. The results of this experiment can be used to emphasize the role of organic fertilizers to produce highest tomato yield, both in quantity and quality, in this region and other similar regions in the country.

Keywords

• Chemical fertilizer
• leaf area index
• Manure
• Net assimilation rate
• Tomato