Influence of boron application on the nutrition of tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) in soils of Geriyo and Chouchi, Adamawa State

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted in 2009 and 2010 to study Boron nutrition in the soils of Geriyo flood plain (Yola north) and Chouchi flood plain (Yola south) of Adamawa State using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plant as test crop. The aim of this work is to study the effect of soil applied boron fertilizer on fruit and dry matter yields of tomato (Variety Roma VF) under graded B application (uptake) and some of its biochemical properties. Composite soils were collected from the two sites. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design, comprising five levels of boron (0, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/kg) in the screen house of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. Tomato plant growth parameters and quality were evaluated. Result of the data analysis revealed that plant height, fresh and dry matter yield were significantly (P< 0.05) affected by boron application. Highest dry matter yield of 41.7; 40.2; 10.9; 10.8; 33.7; 32.8; 5.33 and 5.25 were recorded by 5 mg/kg B application. The highest values of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), 10.13; 10.1; 8.12 and 7.12 in Geriyo and Chouchi soils were recorded with 5 mg/kg B application.Also the highest values of titratable acidity, 9.67; 6.88; 4.80 and 5.12 in both soils were recorded with 5mg/kg B application. Highest values of total soluble solid 8.41; 9.70; 38.5 and 39.2 were recorded with 5 mg/kg B application in both soils, In general, the overall result showed that the growth parameters were influenced more by the 2mg/kg B treatments, whereas 5mg/kg B treatments greatly affected yield attributes and its uptake.