Standardization of Growbag Media with Nutriseed Pack Fertilization for Tomato Crop under Matric Suction Irrigation

Abstract

A pot experiment was carried out with different growbag media with varying proportions of agricultural/ industrial residues such as Cocopeat, Vermicompost, Vermiculite, Fly ash, Pressmud, Rice husk and Groundnut shell, for selecting suitable materials for matric suction irrigation for enhancing the growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The results revealed that the plant height, number of main branches per plant, number of lateral branches per main branch and number of leaves per lateral branch were highest in media containing Cocopeat: Vermicompost: Pressmud in 1:1:1 ratio with Nutriseed Pack. The significantly highest fruit yield of tomato (1513 g/pot) was achieved in growbag media containing equal proportion of Cocopeat: Vermicompost: Pressmud in 1:1:1 ratio with NSP. Followed by, the higher yield of tomato (1379 g/pot) was recorded in case of Cocopeat: Vermicompost: Vermiculite (1:1:1) with Nutriseed Pack,which was at par with Cocopeat: Vermicompost: Vermiculite + Neem Seed Crush with Nutriseed Pack (1320 g/pot). The conventional pot mixture of Soil: Sand: FYM (1:1:1) with Nutriseed Packgave moderate yield of tomato (622 g/pot). Besides, the promising effect of matric suction irrigation has been brought out in the present study as an alternative means for surface irrigation.