Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, and Economics of Tomato under Polyhouse Conditions

Abstract

A two-year experiment was conducted at the Hi-Tech Greenhouse, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, during 2021-22 and 2022-23 to evaluate nutrient-management strategies for tomato under polyhouse conditions. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design with eight treatments and three replications. Treatments included the recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF; 25.0-12.5-12.5 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O per 1000 m²) alone or in combination with micronutrients, Panchgavya, seaweed extract, banana pseudostem sap, Go Krupa Amrutam, a microbial formulation, and a natural-farming nutrient package. Pooled analysis showed that 100% RDF + Panchgavya 3% (T3) recorded the highest plant height (281.69 cm) and number of branches per plant (11.73), together with the earliest flowering (40.30 days) and first picking (95.53 days); these growth and phenological responses were statistically at par with T8. T3 also recorded the highest fruit weight (69.65 g), number of fruits per plant (61.02), total soluble solids (4.28 °Brix), and pooled fruit yield (4.13 kg/plant; 26.24 t/1000 m²). The pooled fruit yield of T3 was significantly higher than that of the other treatments at the 5% level. The highest net realization was also obtained with T3 (INR 350,331 per 1000 m²). The results indicate that integrating RDF with a 3% Panchgavya foliar spray is a promising nutrient-management option for tomato under the tested polyhouse conditions.