Effect of Biofertilizers on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

The experiment was conducted during summer season of 2005-06 at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar to study the effect of biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB and VAM) on growth and yield attributes of tomato. Significant difference was found for plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, stem diameter, fruits per plant and yield while plant height, days to first harvest, days to final harvest and number of primary branches was showed non-significant difference. Maximum plant height (121.0cm) at final harvest and days to first harvest (69.67) was observed with treatment T2 (Azospirillum + 75% N + recommended dose of P and K) whereas, maximum Leaf Area Index (3.41), number of fruits per plant (48.23), number of primary branches (11.99) and fruit yield (693.32q/ha) was found with treatment T5 having Azotobacter and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). Higher plant fresh weight (639.33g) and dry (129.00g) per plant was recoded with treatment having phosphorus solublizing bacteria (PSB) and recommended dose of fertilizers, however, total crop duration (115) was longest with treatment T3 (Azospirillum + RDF). VAM treated plot with recommended dose of NPK showed maximum stem diameter (15.89mm).