Biochemical Attributes, Plant Growth and Yield of Tomato as Affected by Boron Application Rates

摘要

A glasshouse pot experiment, with two tomato cultivars VCT-1 and Riogrande, was carried out to assess the effects of four levels of soil application of B (0,0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg~(-1)) in the form of borax on plant growth, biochemical content, antioxidant activity and fruit yield. Higher plant growth and fruit yield in both cultivars were achieved by the B 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg'1 soil application respectively. Application of 0.5 mg B kg~(-1) had lower dry matter production as well as fruit yield when compared with B 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg~(-1). The percent increase of fruit yield at 0.5 mg B kg~(-1) was 12 and 10, in VCT-1 and Riogrande respectively. In the same cultivars, B application @ 1.0 mg B kg~(-1) caused the fruit yield by 23 and 21% while 1.5 mg B kg~(-1) enhanced by 22 and 20% respectively. Boron concentration in leaf, fruit and root increased with the increasing level of B. Boron application at 1.0 and 1.5 mg kg~(-1) significantly increased chlorophyll, sugar and protein content in both cultivars. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was significantly increased by the soil application of 1.5 mg B kg~(-1) in both cultivars of tomato. Results showed that soil application of 1.0 mg B kg~(-1) soil have a positive effect on plant growth, yield and biochemical attributes of both the tomato cultivars.