Effect of Organic Manure and Silicon on Growth, Yield and Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Aim: The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, to study the influence of organic manure and silicon on the growth, yield, and quality of tomato. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26. Methodology: The experiment comprised two factors. The first factor was organic manure (M), with four levels, viz. control (M1), 20 ton FYM/ha (M2), 6 ton poultry manure/ha (M3), and 8 ton vermicompost/ha (M4). The second factor was silicon (S), with four levels, viz. control (T1), 25 kg silicon (T2), 50 kg silicon (T3), and 75 kg silicon (T4). These factors formed 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times. Results: The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. Among the organic manure treatments, the maximum plant height at harvest (115.12 cm) was observed with 20 ton FYM/ha (M2), whereas among the silicon levels, the maximum plant height at harvest (100.25 cm) was observed with 75 kg silicon (T4). Similarly, among the organic manure treatments, the maximum number of branches per plant (8.95) was observed with 20 ton FYM/ha (M2), whereas among the silicon levels, the maximum number of branches per plant (7.51) was observed with 75 kg silicon (T4). The interaction effect of organic manure and silicon levels on plant height at harvest and the number of branches per plant was non-significant. Superior growth parameters, viz. maximum plant spread (72.00 cm) and number of leaves per plant (54.07), were observed with 8 ton vermicompost/ha + 75 kg silicon (M4T4), whereas the minimum values were observed in the control. Superior yield and yield-attributing parameters, viz. maximum number of fruits per plant (39.42), maximum average fruit weight (126.46 g), fruit yield per plant (4.00 kg), and fruit yield per hectare (103.11 t/ha), and quality parameters, viz. maximum TSS (7.24 °Brix), β-carotene content (18.46 mg/g), total sugar content (6.62%), maximum titratable acidity (0.67%), lycopene content (6.84 mg/g), maximum ascorbic acid content (24.62 mg/100 g), and B:C ratio (3.70), were observed with 20 ton FYM/ha + 75 kg silicon (M2T4). Conclusion: It may be concluded from the present investigation that the treatment combination of 20 ton FYM/ha + 75 kg silicon produced superior growth, yield, and economic returns and may therefore be recommended for obtaining a higher tomato yield and superior fruit quality.