Influence of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) under high hill dry temperate conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2000 and 2001 at Kukumeri. Himachal Pradesh. under high hill dry temperate zone of North-western Himalaya, to study the effect of farmyard manure and fertilizers 0.1 fruit yield and yield-attributing traits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller nom. cons-). The transplanting of 'EC 129601' tomato was done in the last week of May in both the years. The highest level of farmyard manure (20 tonnes/ha) resulted in significantly higher fruit yield (99.51 tonnes/ha) over other 2 levels (no application and 10 tonnes/ha) in each year. An application of 125% NPK (125, 33 and 41 kg N, P and K/ha) significantly outyielded the other 2 fertilizer levels of 75% and 100% NPK. The response to farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers was also significant for fruits' plant, average fruit weight, plant height and branches/plant. With increase in yield from 85.31 to 99.51 tonnes/ha and 86.07 to 101.20 tonnes/ha and fruits/plant from 27.53 to 33.88 and 29.29 to 34.17, average fruit weight decreased (59.711 to 51.92 g and 60.04 to 54.03 g) at 20 tonnes farmyard manure/ha and 125% NPK compared to 10 tonnes farmyard manureilla and recommended dose of NPK/ha (100%) respectively. The interaction effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer application were also significant for fruit yield. The maximum net returns were achieved (Rs 384 000 ha) with 20 tonnes farmyard manure + 125% NPK with benefit: cost ratio of 4.80. The fruit yield obtained with 20 tonnes farmyard manure/ha + 100% NPK (100, 26 and 33 kg N, P and K/ha) was better than 125% NPK alone, thereby showing savine of N, P and K to the tune of 25, 7 and 8 kg Aa, respectively, and an additional income of Rs 32 000/ha.