EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION WITH SALICYLIC ACID AND VITAMIN E ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) PLANT.

Abstract

Two field experiments wee conducted to study the effect of foliar application with 50 & 100 ppm of salicylic acid (SA) and 100 & 200 ppm of vitamin E (VE) and their combination on some growth aspects, photosynthetic pigments, minerals, endogenous phytohormones, flowering, fruiting and fruit quality of tomato cv. Super strain B during 2006 and 2007 seasons. Plants were sprayed two times at 30 and 45 days after transplanting. Results indicated that, different applied treatments significantly increased all studied growth parameters as number of branches and leaves per plant, leaf area per plant and leaves dry weight as well. Besides, the two concentrations of each applied salicylic acid or vitamin E obviously increased photosynthetic pigments, NPK, Fe, Zn, Mn, total carbohydrates and crude protein concentrations in leaves of treated plants as compared with those of untreated ones. Also, all treatments increased gibberellins and cytokinins level in tomato shoots whereas Auxins and abscisic acid were decreased. Furthermore, the highest early and total yields were obtained with salicylic acid 50ppm + vitamin E 200ppm followed by SA 100 + VE 200ppm, respectively. In addition, chemical composition of minerals and some bioconstituents such as carbohydrates, vitamin C, total soluble solids in tomato fruits were also increased at the same treatments. Therefore, the present study strongly admit the use of salicylic acid and vitamin E as foliar application not only increased early and total yields but also getting a good fruit quality as well.