Effect of micronutrient fortified fertiliser application on the growth and yield components of tomato plant in floodplain soils of Bangladesh

This study was conducted at farmers’ fields in Chandina, Cumilla of Bangladesh covering soils of Old Meghna Estuarine Floodplain to find the effect of micronutrient application to tomato in floodplain soils. Randomized complete block design with 3 replications was used in the experiment where seven treatments including a control were tested. The treatments were formulated taking six micronutrients, i. e., Zn, B, Cu, Mn, Fe and Mo at the rate of 3, 2, 2, 3, 5 and 1 kg ha^-1, respectively. The treatments were designed following the additive element trial technique and N, P, K and S were applied at recommended rate equally to all plots. Fruit yield of tomato was affected significantly by the application of Zn alone but combine  application of both Zn and B showed the highest responses. It was evident that the application of only Zn and B was sufficient to achieve a tomato fruit yield of 66.4 t ha^-1 that was similar to the highest yielding (67.5 t ha^-1) treatment (T₇). The lowest yield (56.8 t ha^-1) was in the control treatment. Stover yield and plant height did not respond significantly while only Zn was found responsive for fruit yield, fruit clusters and number of fruits per plant. Similar to fruit yield, protein content and in all cases, nutrient uptake were affected by the application of both Zn and B. It was noted that the application of Zn and B influenced different growth and yield parameters while the other four micronutrients tested did not have any effect. However, the combine application of Zn, B, Cu, Mn, Fe and Mo was beneficial for plant growth.