INTRODUCTION The recommended biofertilizer for tomato are Azotobacter in combination with PSB. However, mycorrhizal inoculation also gives additional benefit for mobilizing nutrients. Biofertilizers are applied as seed, seedling root dip and soil application method. Mycorrhizal biofertilizer is another aspect in tomato seedling treatment.
BIOFERTILIZER APPLICATION IN TOMATO BIOFERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION AZOTOBACTER PSB MYCORRHIZA
SEED TREATMENT Keep the seeds required for sowing one acre in a heap on a clean-cemented floor or gunny bag. Prepare culture suspension by mixing one packet (200g) each of Azotobacter and PSB biofertilizer in approx . 800 ml water Sprinkle culture suspension on the tomato seeds and mix Spread the seeds under shade for sometime for drying and then sow. In place of water, rice glue {Kanji} can also be used for better results
SEEDLING ROOT DIP METHOD Prepare the suspension by mixing l kg (5 packets) each of Azotobacter and PSB culture in 15-20 litres of water. Get the tomato seedlings required for one acre of land Dip root portion of seedlings in the suspension for 30 minutes and transfer to the main field.
SOIL APPLICATION METHOD Mix 2 –3 kg each of the Azotobacter and PSB culture packets with 100 kg of well decomposed cattle manure/ compost for one acre of land and Sprinkle water to the mixer Keep the mixer overnight for curing Broadcast into soil at the time of planting or at the time of irrigation For long duration crop 20-30 packets of biofertilizer (200g) are mixed with 80-120 kg. Cattle manure or soil for one acre land
Mycorrhizal Application in Tomato Apply mycorrhizal culture in the grape nursery @ 100 gm per sq.m. three centimeter below the soil For out planting, apply 20 gm mycorrhizal culture per seedling into the planting pit and cover with soil For existing plant, apply mycorrhizal culture @ 200 gm near the root zone along with other fertilizers
LET US SUM UP The mostly recommended biofertilizer for tomato are Azotobacter in combination with PSB. Two methods are broadly used for biofertilization viz. seedling root dip and soil application method. Mycorrhizal inoculation also gives additional benefit for mobilizing nutrients. Mycorrhizal biofertilizer is another aspect in tomato seedling treatment.
ASSESSMENT Q. State true or false : i) Mycorrhizal inoculation gives additional benefit for mobilizing nutrients. ii) The ratio of inoculant and water is 1:15. iii) 20-30 packets of biofertilizer {each containing 200g} are mixed with cattle manure or soil in case of perennial crops.
ASSESSMENT Check your progress (Model Answers): i) True ii) False iii) True
REFERENCES i) Bio-fertilizer and Organic Farming – NIIR Board ii) Biofertilizers in Agriculture – N. S. Subba Rao iii) Biofertilizers (Potentialities and Problems) – S.P.Sen and P. Palit