Responses of tomato hybrid cultivars to soil application of humic acid under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Responses of three tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) hybrids viz. 'Luanova', 'Savarona' and 'Tessera' to various doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g L-1) of soil application of humic acid (HA) were evaluated in terms of plant growth, productivity and quality of fruits, under greenhouse conditions, during 2011-12 and 2012-13. In addition to improved quality characteristics, higher values for yield and yield components were recorded for tomato fruits harvested from plants of 'Tessera' cultivar compared to those harvested from other hybrids tested, regardless of growing seasons. Plants from 'Luanova' cultivar were, however, earlier in fruiting with higher number of fruits per plant. Soil application of HA presented positive effects on yield and physicochemical quality of tomato fruits irrespective of the dose of HA and the cultivar investigated, in both seasons. Soil application of HA at higher dose 1.5 g L-1 exhibited better results in all the three tomato cultivars tested, in terms of their vegetative and reproductive growth, and significantly improved the physicochemical quality of their fruits. Conclusively, the tomato hybrid 'Tessera' was found suitable for cultivation under greenhouse conditions while soil application of aqueous solution of HA @ 1.5 g L-1 substantially resulted in higher production of quality tomato fruits.

A Biostimulant Containing Humic and Fulvic Acids Promotes Growth and Health of Tomato ‘Bush Beefsteak’ Plants

“…Humic substances have been highlighted as a potential tool to improve fertilizer use efficiency in soilless production because they can increase the nutrient storage capacity of soilless substrates [4]. In tomato, humic substances have been reported to increase germination, growth, yield, and fruit quality [15][16][17][18]. Soil application of humic acids increased yield in tomato 'Target NF1' by up to 48%, and the foliar application resulted in a yield increase of up to 26% [15].…”

“…Soil applications of humic acids to tomato 'Kero F1' increased macro (N, P, and K) and micronutrient (Fe, Zn, and Cu) concentrations in leaves [17]. Alenazi and Khandaker reported that drench application of humic acid promoted growth and improved the physicochemical fruit quality of tomato 'Luanova', 'Savarona', and 'Tessera' under greenhouse conditions [18].…”