Studies on Different Dilutions of Distillery Spentwash for Foliar Application and Its Effect on Soil Properties, Growth, Yield and Quality of Tomato

ABSTRACT

A greenhouse experiment was conducted at GKVK Bengaluru, Karnataka during 2013 to decide the best dilution of distillery spentwash to be utilized as a foliar spray for tomato crop. Results revealed that a foliar application of 1:5 dilution of distillery spentwash resulted in higher growth parameters compared to other dilutions. Based on greenhouse experiment results, a two year field experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field at Mandya district, Karnataka during 2013 and 2014. Pooled analysis of two years of data (2013 and 2014) revealed that at 60 DAT, the treatment which received 100% RDF + 5 sprays of distillery spentwash at 1:5 dilution recorded significantly higher plant height (110.2 cm), SPAD meter reading (22.9) and higher fruit yield (7.14 kg plant⁻¹ and 78.9 t ha⁻¹) compared to other treatments. Lower plant height, SPAD reading and yield were recorded in the 100% RDF + water sprays (5 times). Also, significantly higher ascorbic acid content (54.2 mg 100–1) and lycopene content (14.0 mg 100–1) of tomato fruits were determined in the treatment receiving 100% RDF + 5 sprays of distillery spentwash at 1:5 dilution. After harvest of tomato crop, soil properties were higher in treatment which received 100% RDF + 5 sprays of undiluted distillery spentwash; but soil pH was higher in the treatment that received water spray.

KEYWORDS:

• Foliar application
• lycopene content
• plant height
• available nitrogen
• SPAD reading
• TSS

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the M/s Sri Chamundeshwari Surags Limited, for providing a scholarship throughout my PhD program. I grateful to the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangaluru (UASB) for providing award doctorate in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry specialization.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).