Foliar application of Tecamin flower® to alleviate water deficit on vegetative growth and yield of tomato

ABSTRACT

Under water deficit, chemical elements in a dry fertilizer go into solution in the soil with difficulty and nutrients are less available to the plant. Foliar fertilization could compensate for nutrient deficiency due to water deficit. The study evaluated effects of foliar application of Tecamin flower® at 0 or 2.5 mL∙L⁻¹ and deficit irrigation at 50% or 100% field capacity on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), cvs. Bobcat, Finenss and Hadeer. “Finenss” receiving 50% irrigation produced the most flowers/plant (~192.50). “Finenss” and “Hadeer” had the most flowers/plant (~187.16 and 183.00, respectively) at the 2.5 mL∙L⁻¹ Tecamin flower® rate. “Bobcat” irrigated at 100% with 2.5 mL∙L⁻¹ of Tecamin flower® treatment produced the highest Fruit weight (~212.50) and total yield (13.80 kg m⁻²). “Hadeer” receiving full irrigation and 2.5 mL∙L⁻¹ of Tecamin flower® had less time to flowering (21.00 day). “Bobcat” irrigated at 50% with 2.5 mL∙L⁻¹ of Tecamin flower® had the most clusters/plant (~14.00). Foliar application of Tecamin flower® played a role in alleviating negative impact of water deficit.

KEYWORDS:

• Solanum lycopersicum
• amino acids
• cluster
• fruit
• flowering