Soil Application of Zinc Improves Growth and Yield of Tomato

In a glasshouse pot experiment, effect of soil applied Zinc (@ 0, 5, 10 & 15 mg kg(-1)) on the growth, yield and biochemical attributes was studied of two tomato cultivars; VCT-1 and Riogrande. Zinc application increased the plant growth and fruit yield in both cultivars. Maximum plant growth and fruit yield in both cultivars were achieved by the Zn application at 10 mg kg(-1) soil. Application of 5 mg Zn kg(-1) had lower dry matter production as well as fruit yield when compared with Zn 10 and 15 mg kg(-1). The percent increase of fruit yield at 5 mg Zn kg(-1) was 14 and 30%, in VCT-1 and Riogrande, respectively. In the same cultivars, Zn application @ 10 mg Zn kg(-1) caused the fruit yield by 39 and 54%, while 15 mg Zn kg(-1) enhanced by 34 and 48%, respectively. Zinc concentration in leaf, fruit and root increased with the increasing level of Zn. Zinc application at 10 and 15 mg kg(-1) significantly increased chlorophyll, sugar, soluble protein, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in leaf of both cultivars. The results of this study suggest that soil application of 10 mg Zn kg(-1) soil have a positive effect on yield, biochemical attributes and enzymatic activities of both the tomato cultivars. (C) 2012 Friends Science Publishers