Effect of boron and vermicompost on yield and quality of tomato (lycopersican esculentum cv. Pusa ruby) in acid soils

Indian J. Agric. Res., 49 (1) 2015: 13-23 Print ISSN:0367-8245 / Online ISSN:0976-058X AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE www.arccjournals.com/www.ijarjournal.com Effect of boron and vermicompost on yield and quality of tomato (lycopersican esculentum cv. Pusa ruby) in acid soils Indira Sarangthem*, A. Haribushan and Jekendra Salam Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal-795 001, India Received: 28-09-2013 Accepted: 08-03-2014 doi:10.5958/0976-058x.2015.00002.5 ABSTRACT It was observed from an experiment that application of vermicompost significantly influenced the yield, yield attributes and nutrient uptake of tomato. Vermicompost (20q/ha) and boron (Borax 10kg/ha) application found to be superior in vitamin C content (16.5-20.96 mg/100gm), lycopene (40.66-45.25mg/100gm) and sugar content (4.06%-4.27%) in the pooled mean data of two years, where as maximum dose of boron had influenced the highest uptake of boron by plant and available boron in soil but the yield was decreased. Among the combinations, minimum dose of boron and maximum dose of vermicompost was found to be superior in increasing the yield and quality of the tomato fruit, particularly the size, shape, colour, smoothness, the firmness, ascorbic acid, sugar content and also reduced fruit cracking. Low boron application and highest vermicompost i.e. also increased the nutrient availability and carbon status in soil and highest boron uptake by plant in both the years of experimentation. However, the application of highest boron and vermicompost ( ) also observed the higher available boron in soil during the study period. Key words: Ascorbic acid, Boron, Fruit, Lycopene, Tomato, Sugar, Vermicompost, Vitamin. INTRODUCTION Tomato is one of the major vegetable crops predominantly grown in the valley areas of Manipur both under irrigated and rainfed condition. Boron effect on tomato were studied (Brown and Jones, 1972) and also effect of organic matter on mineral uptake by tomato was studied by Nishita, et al. (1956). There is a growing concern about the health and environmental hazards of chemical based intensive agriculture. Excessive and inappropriate use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to contamination of food, water and fibre in several countries and thus, resulting in overall deterioration in soil health and environmental quality. Excessive use and continuous increase in cost of fertilizers inspired the scientist to explore the possibilities to restrict the fertilizer use and way for economic. The significant role of organic manure in replenishing soil fertility has been reported by many workers (Balyan and Seth 1985, Rao and Singh 1993). Organic based farming is ecologically oriented with sound economy and eco-friendly sources of nutrients for a variety of crops. Keeping in view for better soil health, good environment and approaching lowards eco-friendly environment, vermicompost which is an important source of organic matter is used for present investigation. Potentiality of vermicompost due to presence of readily available plant nutrients, growth enhancing substances and number of beneficial microorganisms like N fixing, P-Solubilising and Cellulose decomposing organism (Sultan 1997). The response of tomato to boron application in acid soil of Chotanagpur region was reported by Prasad et al (1997). Application of FYM and inorganic fertilizer improves the available N,P,K, and organic carbon content of the soil (Gill and Meelu 1980). Vermiculture technique improve the physico chemical properties of soil in the form of mixing top soil, formation of soil aggregates, improvement of drainage, porosity and aeration. In the present study emphasis on organic source is focus for health of soil environment and favourable ecosystem. Using organic source *Corresponding author e-mail: indira_sarangthem@yahoo.co.in

14 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH of nutrients increased the nutrient status of the soil, potentiality of vermicompost and FYM increases the N,P 2 O 5, K 2 O and micro nutrient content (Reddy and Reddy 1998). Boron improves growth, yield, quality and nutrient content of tomato, (Davis et al. 2003). Availability of molybdenum and boron is greatly influenced by soil characteristics like ph, EC, CEC, organic matter, particle size and free CaCo 3 content. Boron deficiency in wide spread in soils of low soil ph, initial boron status of the experimental field is 0.0037mg/g with slightly acidic, (PH5.2), EC(0.2ds/m), CEC[24Cmol (p + )/kg -1 ]. Keeping in view the lack of information on this important micro nutrient and organic matter status and importance in the acidic soils of Manipur Valley, the present study was under taken. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present investigation the effect of boron nutrition and vermicompost use in the yield and quality of tomato, the experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design in the rabi seasons of 2003, 2004 and 2005, with 16 nos. of treatment combination of Boron and vermicompost. Boron as borax were applied 0, 10, 15, 20 kg ha -1 which is replicated in three nos. Boron as borax was applied prior to one month before transplanting of tomato seedling. The initial studies of the soil has shown high in organic carbon (2.8%), acidity in character with ph of 5.2, clay loam in texture deficient in boron (.0037 mg kg -1 ), medium in nitrogen (407.6 kg ha -1 ), phosphorus 25.6 kg ha -1 and potash 314.5 kg ha -1. The organic source, Vermicompost has got nutrient content of nitrogen (1.11%), phosphorus (0.57%), Potash (0.78%) and boron (.0095 mg kg -1 ) were applied in four levels viz 0, 10, 15, 20 q ha -1. Ten plants of each plot of the experimental field were selected randomly for each treatment and their fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield / plant and fruit yield q/ha were recorded. Determination of fruit quality, vitamin C and sugar content were carried out in Anthrone Method (Jayaraman 1981). Lycopene was measured by Biochemical Methods for Agricultural Sciences (Sudasiram and Manikam, 1991). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The effects of different treatments of boron and Vermicompost on yield, fruit quality, nutrient uptake and soil fertility were statistically analysed and significance of the result were discussed and presented in the Tables. The application of vermicompost significantly increased the vitamin C content in tomato up to the fourth harvest of experimentation. The application of vermicompost significantly increased the vitamin C content in tomato up to the fourth harvest of experimentation. In all the experimentation, the vitamin C content was highest in fruits from B 0 application. There was significant increase in the vitamin C in fourth harvest compare to first harvest (13.17 mg/100g to 16.17mg/100gm fresh fruits). From the data given in Table 1, it is seen that there was significant influence of boron on vitamin C content in fruits. Boron application (5kg/ ha) i.e. has got highest vitamin C content in fruit. The ascorbic acid content in fruit significantly increased from first harvest, 17.67 mg per 100 g sample upto fourth harvest, 22.42 mg per 100g sample with application of. The data pertaining to the lycopene content in tomato after fruit harvest as influenced by different treatments are presented in Table 2 and the application of vermicompost proved superior over control in lycopene content of tomato. The highest lycopene content in tomato was observed with B 0 application during the whole period of experimentation. The application of boron proved superior over the control as well as vermicompost application for lycopene content of tomato. Treatment recorded the highest lycopene content in tomato which was followed by B 2 and respectively. There was a significant increase in the lycopene content of tomato from first harvest (37.86 mg per 100 g sample) to fourth harvest (42.65 mg per 100 g sample) by the application of.application of was observed the highest lycopene content in tomato. The significant increase in the lycopene content of tomato from the first harvest (42.85 mg per 100 g sample) to the fourth harvest (47.84 mg per 100 g sample) in the plot receiving application. The total sugar content in fruits as influenced by different treatments are presented in Table 3. Application of vermicompost proved superior over control in total sugar content in fruits in all the experimentation. The highest sugar content (3.42%) was recorded by the application of B 0 in the third harvest whereas the lowest sugar content (2.33%) was observed with the application of B 0 in the first harvest. Application of boron had a significant effect in the sugar content of tomato fruits in all the experimentation. There was significantly increased in the sugar content of tomato fruits

Vol. 49 Issue 1, 2015 15 TABLE 1: Effect of vermicompost and boron on vitamin C content in tomato (mg per 100g) First harvest second harvest Third harvest Fourth harvest VB Mean Mean Mean Mean B 0 11.17 11.58 12.00 13.17 11.98 11.92 12.50 12.83 14.17 12.85 12.58 13.25 13.83 15.33 13.75 13.08 14.25 14.67 16.17 14.54 15.58 16.08 16.67 17.67 16.50 16.67 17.50 18.58 20.00 18.19 17.92 18.92 20.08 21.08 19.50 19.33 20.58 21.50 22.42 20.96 B 2 14.33 15.42 16.00 16.42 15.54 14.67 16.08 16.58 17.42 16.19 15.33 17.08 17.75 18.42 17.14 15.83 17.75 18.58 19.33 17.87 11.66 12.83 13.42 14.25 13.04 12.08 13.17 14.08 15.08 13.60 13.17 13.75 14.67 15.58 14.29 13.17 14.42 15.50 16.17 14.81 Mean 13.18 13.97 14.52 15.37 14.26 13.83 14.81 15.52 16.67 15.21 14.75 15.75 16.58 17.60 16.17 15.35 16.75 17.56 18.52 17.04 V B V x B V B V x B V B V x B V B V x B S.E (d) ± 0.07 0.07 0.15 0.09 0.09 0.18 0.09 0.09 0.18 0.07 0.07 0.14 C.D 5% 0.14 0.14 0.30 0.18 0.18 0.37 0.18 0.18 0.37 0.14 0.14 0.28 TABLE 2: Effect of vermicompost and boron on Lycopene content in tomato (mg per 100g) First harvest Second harvest Third harvest Fourth harvest VB Mean Mean Mean Mean B 0 23.92 25.80 26.62 27.04 25.84 25.80 28.29 29.33 30.17 28.39 27.25 29.75 30.37 30.99 29.59 28.29 30.79 31.62 32.04 30.68 37.86 40.36 41.60 42.85 40.66 40.57 42.23 43.47 44.94 42.80 41.60 43.47 44.73 46.60 44.10 42.65 44.73 45.77 47.84 45.24 B 2 34.74 36.82 37.86 40.15 37.39 35.36 37.86 39.52 40.98 38.43 36.61 39.10 40.78 41.60 39.52 37.23 39.94 40.98 43.47 40.40 30.17 31.62 32.24 33.49 31.88 30.99 32.66 33.49 35.99 33.28 32.24 33.07 34.12 37.65 34.27 33.28 33.70 34.54 38.90 35.10 Mean 31.67 33.65 34.58 35.88 33.94 33.18 35.26 36.45 38.02 35.72 34.42 36.34 37.50 39.21 36.87 35.36 37.29 38.23 40.56 31.27 V B V x B V B V x B V B V x B V B V x B S.E.(d) ± 0.13 0.13 0.26 0.12 0.12 0.25 0.14 0.14 0.27 0.15 0.15 0.30 C.D 5% 0.26 0.26 0.53 0.24 0.24 0.51 0.28 0.28 0.56 0.30 0.30 0.61

16 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH from first harvest (3.83%) to third harvest (4.42%) by the application of but after the third harvest, the sugar content was decreased to (3.83%) in the fourth harvest. The result pertaining to the available boron in the soil as affected by vermicompost and boron treatments in tomato are presented in Table 4. The application of B 0, i.e., 20 q ha -1 of vermicompost produced the maximum available boron in soil (0.045 ppm in the first year and 0.048 ppm in the second year) followed by B 0 and B 0 application in both the years. The application of boron had a significant effect on the available boron in soil in both the years of experimentation. In the present study (pooled mean analysis), the application of, i.e., 20 kg ha -1 of boron (borax) was found to possess the highest (1.024 ppm in the first year, 1.027 ppm in the second year and 1.025 ppm in the pooled mean analysis) available boron in soil followed by B 0 and B 0 application. The interaction between vermicompost and boron had a significant effect on the available boron in soil in both the years. In both the years, the application of was recorded the highest (2.319 ppm in the first year and 2.320 ppm in the second year) available boron in the soil whereas the lowest (1.069 ppm in the first year and 1.070 ppm in the second year) available boron in soil was recorded by the application of. Similar trend was observed in the pooled mean analysis. Boron uptake by plant as influenced by different treatments are presented in Table 4.1. The application of vermicompost had a significant effect on boron uptake by plant in both the years and also in pooled analysis. The result revealed that the application of vermicompost brought out a significant increase on boron uptake by plant. The lowest B uptake by plant was observed by the application of B 0 in both the years of experimentation (i.e. 8.97 kg/ha in first year and 9.92 kg/ha in second year experiment) and pooled mean data analysis whereas, the highest B uptake by plant was observed due to the application of B 0 in both the years (24.01 kg/ha in first year experiment and 27.45 kg/ha in second year experiment). During the first year experiment, B uptake by plant was recorded the highest (135.48 kg/ha) with the application of whereas; the lowest uptake of B by plant (21.57 kg/ha) was observed due to the application of. In the second year, application of obtain the highest B uptake by plant (161.81 kg/ha) whereas, the lowest B uptake TABLE 3: Effect of vermicompost and boron on Total sugar content in tomato (percentage) First harvest Second harvest Third harvest Fourth harvest VB Mean Mean Mean Mean B 0 2.00 2.33 2.67 2.75 2.43 2.17 2.67 2.92 3.00 2.69 2.50 2.92 3.17 3.42 3.00 2.17 2.67 2.83 3.08 2.68 3.83 4.00 4.17 4.25 4.06 4.08 4.17 4.58 4.75 4.39 4.42 4.58 4.92 5.00 4.73 3.83 4.08 4.42 4.75 4.27 B 2 3.08 3.42 3.58 3.92 3.50 3.25 3.83 3.92 4.17 3.79 3.83 4.08 4.17 4.58 4.16 3.08 3.17 3.58 3.92 3.43 2.67 2.92 3.08 3.25 2.98 2.58 3.17 3.42 3.75 3.23 2.50 3.58 3.83 4.00 3.47 2.00 3.08 3.42 3.83 3.08 Mean 2.89 3.16 3.37 3.54 3.24 3.02 3.46 3.71 3.91 3.52 3.31 3.79 4.02 4.25 3.84 2.77 3.25 3.56 3.89 3.36 V B V x B V B V x B V B V x B V B V x B S.E.(d) ± 0.07 0.07 0.15 0.07 0.07 0.14 0.07 0.07 0.14 0.07 0.07 0.14 C.D 5% 0.14 0.14 0.30 0.14 0.14 0.28 0.14 0.14 0.28 0.14 0.14 0.28

Vol. 49 Issue 1, 2015 17 TABLE 4: Effect of vermicompost and boron on available boron (ppm) in soil. Year 2003-2004 2004-2005 Pooled VB Mean Mean Mean B 0 0.034 0.039 0.042 0.045 0.040 0.035 0.041 0.044 0.048 0.042 0.034 0.040 0.043 0.046 0.041 0.420 1.069 1.088 1.159 0.934 0.425 1.070 1.090 1.159 0.936 0.422 1.070 1.089 1.159 0.935 B 2 0.666 1.359 1.515 1.828 1.342 0.670 1.360 1.517 1.830 1.344 0.668 1.360 1.516 1.829 1.343 1.024 2.140 2.221 2.319 1.926 1.027 2.141 2.222 2.320 1.927 1.025 2.141 2.221 2.320 1.926 Mean 0.536 1.152 1.216 1.338 1.060 0.539 1.153 1.218 1.339 1.062 0.537 1.153 1.217 1.339 1.061 V B V X B V B V X B V B V X B S.E (d)± 0.0002 0.0002 0.0004 0.0009 0.00009 0.0002 0.00009 0.00009 0.0002 C.D. 5% 0.0004 0.0004 0.0008 0.0002 0.0002 0.0004 0.0002 0.0002 0.0004 by plant (25.62 kg/ha) was recorded with the application of. Similar trend was observed in the pooled mean data. The application of vermicompost in combination with boron had a significant effect on the B uptake by plant in both the years and also in pooled mean data analysis. In the first year, the highest B uptake by plant (274.53 kg/ ha) was recorded with the application of whereas; the lowest uptake of B by plant (84.96 kg/ha) was observed due to the application. In the second year, the highest B uptake by plant (329.33 kg/ha) was also recorded with application whereas; the lowest uptake of B by plant (96.85 kg/ha) was also observed due to the application of. Similar trend was observed in the pooled mean data analysis also. Effect of boron and vermicompost on number of days of first ripening: There was significant effect of boron on the number of days of first ripening in both the years of experimentation. The lowest number of days to first ripening was recorded with the application of i.e. 112.67 days in first year and 104.67 days in second year whereas the highest number of days to first ripening was recorded with the application of in both the years i.e. 126.67 days in first year and 126.33 days in second year. The number of days of first ripening was significantly influenced by the different treatments are presented in Table 4.2. Interaction effect: Interaction between vermicompost and boron had a significant effect on the number of days to first ripening in both the years and also in pooled mean data analysis. Application of was found to posses the lowest number of days to first ripening i.e. 99.00 days in first year and 93.00 days in second yea overall the other treatments. The highest number of days to first ripening was recorded in application in both the years of experimentation i.e. 123.67 days in first year and 125.33 days in second year. Among 16 treatments, the highest number of days to first ripening was recorded in application, i.e. 126.67 days in first year and 126.33 days in second year. Similar trend was observed in the pooled mean data analysis. Effect of vermicompost and boron on number of fruits per plant: Data on number of fruits per plants recorded at harvest during 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 and their pooled mean values are presented in Table 4.3. The number of fruits per plant was significantly influenced by the different doses

18 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TABLE 4.1: Effect of vermicompost and boron on boron uptake by plant (ppm). Year 2003-2004 2004-2005 Pooled VB Mean Mean Mean B 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.05 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.05 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.05 0.10 0.30 0.52 0.83 0.44 0.11 0.31 0.56 0.85 0.45 0.10 0.31 0.53 0.84 0.44 B 2 0.30 0.34 0.56 0.89 0.52 0.31 0.35 0.59 0.90 0.54 0.30 0.35 0.58 0.90 0.53 0.82 1.03 1.16 1.23 1.06 0.85 1.11 1.18 1.26 1.10 0.83 1.07 1.17 1.24 1.08 Mean 0.31 0.43 0.57 0.76 0.52 0.32 0.45 0.59 0.77 0.53 0.31 0.44 0.58 0.77 0.52 V B V X B V B V X B V B V X B S.E (d)± 0.004 0.004 0.008 0.002 0.002 0.005 0.002 0.002 0.005 C.D. 5% 0.008 0.008 0.02 0.004 0.004 0.01 0.004 0.004 0.01 TABLE 4.2: Effect of vermicompost and boron on number of days to first ripening

Vol. 49 Issue 1, 2015 19 of vermicompost in both the years and in the pooled mean data analysis. In both the years, maximum number of fruits per plant was recorded with the application of B 0 i.e. 27.63 fruits/plant in first year and 35.73 fruits/plant in second year whereas the lowest number of fruits per plant was observed with the application of B 0 i.e. 24.93 fruits/plant in first year and 28.33 fruits/plant in second year. The similar trend was observed in the pooled mean data analysis. The application of boron had a significant effect on the number of fruits per plant in both the years. The number of fruit per plant was recorded highest with the application of whereas the lowest number of fruit per plant was observed with the application in both the years. There was significant change on the number of fruits per plant due to interaction between vermicompost and boron in both the years. The highest number of fruits per plant was recorded with the application of in both the year i.e. 30.47 fruits/plant in first year and 42.70 fruits/plant in second year whereas the lowest number of fruits per plant was observed with the application of among the interaction effect in both the years i.e. 22.13 fruits/plant in first year and 24.23 fruits/plant in second year. Among all the 16 treatments, the lowest number of fruits per plants was observed in B 0 (control) in both the years of experimentation, i.e., 18.67 in first year and 20.20 in second year. Effect of vermicompost and boron on fruit weight (g): Data on fruit weight per plant in both the years of experimentation as influenced by different treatments and their pooled analysis data are presented in Table 4.4. Different doses of vermicompost significantly influenced the fruit weight per plant in both the years of experimentation and also in the pooled mean data analysis. In the first year experiment (2003-2004), the highest fruit weight per plant (34.93 g) was observed with the application of B 0 followed by B 0 and B 0, respectively. Similarly, in the second year experiment (2004-2005), the highest fruit weight per plant (40.65 g) was observed with the application of B 0 followed by B 0 and B 0 respectively. The data revealed that the fruit weight per plant of tomato was higher during the second year (2004-2005) as compared to the first year (2003-2004). The similar trends of findings were observed in the pooled mean data analysis of the two years. The application of boron had a significant effect on the fruit weight per plant in both TABLE 4.3: Effect of vermicompost and boron on number of fruit/plant

20 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH the years of experimentation. In the first year (2003-2004), the data showed that application gave the highest fruit weight per plant (31.54 g) whereas in the second year experiment (2004-2005), the highest fruit weight per plant (38.74 g) was also observed with the application of followed by B 2 and respectively. The data revealed that the fruit weight per plant was higher during the second year (2004-2005) as compared to that of first year (2003-2004). TABLE 4.4: Effect of vermicompost and boron on number of fruit weight (g) Interaction effect: The interaction between vermicompost and boron produced a significant effect on the fruit weight per plant in both the years and also in pooled mean data analysis. In both the years, the data showed that replication gave the highest fruit weight per plant. Similar trend was observed in the pooled mean data analysis. Effect of vermicompost on yield per plant (g): Data on yield per plant in both the years as influenced by different treatments and their pooled analysis data are presented in Table 4.5. The application of vermicompost significantly influenced the yield per plant in both the years of experimentation and also in pooled mean data analysis. In the first year experiment (2003-2004), the highest yield per plant (912.51 g) was recorded due to the application of maximum dose of vermicompost, i.e., B 0. The application of minimum dose of vermicompost, i.e., B 0 gave the lowest yield per plant (680.44 g). In the second year experiment (2004-2005) also, the yield per plant was the highest when the crop was fertilized with maximum dose of vermicompost (1290.09 g) whereas lowest yield per plant (864.75 g) was recorded due to the application of minimum dose of vermicompost, i.e. B 0. The data revealed that the yield per plant of tomato was higher during the second year (2004-2005) as compared to that of first year (2003-2004). Similar trend of findings was observed in the pooled mean data analysis. The application of minimum dose of boron, i.e. was recorded the highest yield per plant in both the year of experimentation and pooled mean data analysis, i.e. 686.94 g in the first year (2003-2004), 686.56 g in the second year (2004-2005) and 777.75 g in the pooled mean analysis. The lowest yield per plant was recorded due to the application of maximum dose of boron, i.e., in both the years of experimentation and pooled mean data analysis.

Vol. 49 Issue 1, 2015 21 TABLE 4.5: Effect of vermicompost and boron on yield per plant (g) Interaction effect: The interaction between vermicompost and boron produced a significant effect on the yield per plant in both the years and also in pooled mean data analysis. In the first year (2003-2004) application of minimum dose of boron with maximum dose of vermicompost, i.e., gave the highest yield per plant (1032.96 g) followed by application (936.79 g). The application of maximum dose of boron with minimum dose of vermicompost, i.e., gave the lowest yield per plant (610.82 g). In the second year (2004-2005) also, application of minimum dose of boron with maximum dose of vermicompost, i.e., gave the highest yield per plant (1541.38 g) followed by the application of (1330.47 g). The application of maximum dose of boron with minimum dose of vermicompost, i.e., gave the lowest yield per plant (627.81 g). In the pooled mean data analysis, the highest yield per plant (1287.17 g) was obtained due to the application of minimum dose of boron with maximum dose of vermicompost, i.e.,. The lowest yield per plant (619.31 g) was obtained due to the application of maximum dose of boron with minimum dose of vermicompost, i.e.,. Effect of vermicompost and boron on yield (q ha -1 ): Data on yield in both the years of experimentation as influenced by different treatments and their pooled analysis data are presented in Table 4.6. Different doses of vermicompost significantly influenced the yield in both the years of experimentation and in the pooled mean data analysis. In the first year experiment (2003-2004), the highest yield (260.05 q ha -1 ) was observed with B 0 application followed by B 0 and B 0, respectively. In the second year experiment (2004-2005), the highest yield (423.98 q ha -1 ) was recorded with the application of B 0. The data revealed that the yield of tomato was higher during the second year (2004-2005) as compared to that of first year (2003-2004). The application of boron had a significant effect on the yield of tomato in both the years of experimentation. In the first year experiment (2003-2004), the highest yield (172.44 q ha -1 ) was observed with the application of. In the second year experiment (2004-2005), the highest yield (260.19 q ha -1 ) was observed with the application followed by B 2 and, respectively. The data revealed that the yield of tomato was higher during the second year (2004-2005) as compared to that of first year (2003-2004). The similar trend of findings was observed in the pooled mean data analysis.

22 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Interaction effect: The interaction between vermicompost and boron produced a significant effect on the yield of tomato in both the years and also in pooled mean data analysis. In both the years, the highest yield of tomato was recorded (305.45 qha -1 in the first year and 498.96 q ha -1 in the second year) with the application of and the lowest yield was observed (159.20 q ha -1 in the first year and 198.30 q ha -1 in the second year) with the application of. Similar trend was observed in the pooled mean data analysis. TABLE 4.6: Effect of vermicompost and boron on yield (q per ha) CONCLUSION From the above findings it can be concluded that vermicompost and boron plays a pivotal role in the earliness, yield, fruit quality, nutrient content and uptake by plant. Among the different levels of vermicompost, the maximum level of vermicompost (20 q V ha -1 ) without boron was found to be the best in increasing the yield and fruit quality of tomato. Similarly among the different level of boron, the minimum level of boron (10 kg B ha -1 ) without vermicompost was also found to possess the best in increasing the yield and fruit quality of tomato (cv. Pusa Ruby) for the acidic clay soil of Manipur. The interaction between applications proved superior over the other treatments in increasing the yield, fruit quality (vitamin C, lycopene and total sugar content). Moreover the application of increases the availability of N, P, K and organic carbon, which exerts positive effect on growth, development, yield and fruit quality (vitamin C, lycopene and total sugar content) of tomato. From the data obtained in the present study, it can be concluded that the application of vermicompost and boron together at 20 q V ha -1 and 10 kg B ha -1, respectively may be beneficial for earliness, better yield, better quality (vitamin C, lycopene and total sugar content) and better fertility of soil. The vermicompost and boron can be used as an effective and substitute for highly priced chemical fertilizer like urea, SSP, MOP in acidic soils of Manipur, which not only supplies essential elements to plants but also improves physico-chemical and biological properties of soil. The continuous use of inorganic fertilizer resulted in a gradual decrease in crop production and nutrient imbalance in soil and create an adverse effect on soil physico-chemical properties. Therefore, regular application of vermicompost is a sound practice for maintaining the soil fertility and application of boron resulted in early flowering, ripening, increased number of fruits per plant, heavier fruit weight, increased vitamin. C, lycopene, total sugar content of tomato and reduced fruit cracking.

Vol. 49 Issue 1, 2015 23 REFERENCE Balyan, J.S. and Seth Jagadish (1985) Effect of pure and inter cropped stands of maize and cowpea on succeeding wheat, Indian Journal of Agronomy 30 (2): 177-180. Brown, J.C. and Jones, W. (1972) Plant Physiol, 49:651-652. Baruah, T.C. and Barthakur, H.P. (1998). A textbook of soil analysis. Published by Vikas Publishing House Private Limited. New Delhi. Davis, J.M.; Sanders, D.C. Nelson, P.V. Lengnick, L. and Sperry, W.J. (2003). Boron improves growth, yield, quality and nutrient content of tomato. J. American Soc. Hort. Sci., 128(3): 441-446. Gill, H.S. and Meelu, O.P. (1980). Studies on the substitution of inorganic fertilizers with farmyard manure and their effect on soil fertility in rice-wheat rotation. Pro- R.R.A.I. Symp. P.A.U., Ludhiana: 297-301. Jayaraman, J. (1981) Laboratory manual in biochemistry. Published by Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi. pp. 53-58. Jelenic, D. Vajnberger, A. and Rasic, J. (1958). Zembj. Belj, 7: 387-391. Nishita. H, Kowalewskv, B.W. and Larson, K.H,(1956) Soil Science, 82:401-407. Prasad, K.K. Chowdhury, B.M. Amrendra, Kumar and Kumar, A. (1997). Response of tomato to boron application in Chatanagpur region. Journal of Research Birsa Agric. University, 9(2): 145-147. Rao, V.M.B. and Singh, S.P. (1993) Crop responses to organic sources of nutrients in dry land conditions (In) Recent Advances in Dryland Agriculture. p.p. 287-304. Samani, L.L. (Ed.) Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur. Reddy Gopal, B. and Reddy Swaminarayan, M. (1998). Effect of organic manures and nitrogen levels of soil available nutrient status in maize-soybean cropping system. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci. 46: 474-476. Shkvaruk, N.M. Kharitanov, O.K. and Shamotienko, G.D. (1973). The effect of some minor elements on tomato yield and quality. Navchnye-Treedy-Ukrainskoi-Sel skokhozyaist-vennoi-akademii, No. 114, 116-118. Sudasiram K. and Manikam, R.A. (1991) Biochemical Method for Agricultural Sciences. Published by Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi. p.p. 182-184. Sultan, A.I. (1997). Vermicology. The Biology of Earthworm. p.p. 47-53