Exogenous Application of Selected Antioxidants and Phyto Development Directors Influenced the Development, Output and Biochemical Attributes of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

This study investigated the comparative efficacy of phyto development director i.e. N.A.A.GA3, 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and antioxidants i.e. Ascorbic acid and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid on development, fruit bearing, output along with biochemical attributes of Lycopersicum esculentum fruits during 2014 and 2015. Foliar spray of GA3(100 ppm) and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (200 parts/million and 100 parts/million) give rise to significantly taller plants and greater leaf area while, shorter plants and lower leaf area was recorded in control. Greater leaf number per plant was obtained with application of GA3(100 ppm). This was followed by salicylic acid (200 ppm). Leaf number was significantly lesser in the plants grown in control. Significantly greater fruit count /plant, length of fruit including sole fruit freshness and dry mass were recorded with GA3(100 parts/million) and salicylic acid (200 ppm) provision and lower values for these parameters were recorded with control. Fruit weight for single plant and output of fruit per hectare successfully recorded from plants grown containing foliar spray of Gibberellic acid at 100 parts/million while lower values were attained with control. Spray of salicylic acid (200 ppm), GA3(100 ppm) and salicylic acid (100 ppm) resulted in greater values for Total Soluble Salts (TSS), vitamin C, lycopene and carotenoids while, lower values for these parameters were recorded in control. Total acidity was significantly greater in fruits when GA3(100 ppm) was applied. Total acidity was significantly lower in fruits of plants from control