Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.28, No.

1, 2012

EFFECT OF BORON ON THE FLOWERING AND FRUITING OF TOMATO

RAJA MOHIB MUAZZAM NAZ*, SHER MUHAMMAD*,
ABDUL HAMID** and FARIDA BIBI*
* Department of Horticulture, Agricultural University Peshawar – Pakistan
** Department of Horticulture, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Rawalakot Campus – Pakistan
E-Mail: mohib_hortian@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Experiment was conducted to study the effect of Boron (B) on the growth and yield of Rio Grand and Rio
Figue cultivar of tomato at Horticultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during 2008-
2009. Different doses of B (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0kg ha-1) with constant doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potash was incorporated at the rate of 150, 100, 60 kg ha-1 .The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete
Block Design with 2 factors. Boron showed a significant effect on the growth and yield of tomato. However, 2 kg B
ha-1 resulted in maximum number of flower clusters per plant, fruit set percentage, total yield, fruit weight loss and
total soluble solid. Rio Grand cultivar of tomato showed significant effect on all parameters. Maximum number of
flower clusters per plant, fruit set percentage and total yield were recorded with Rio Grand cultivar of tomato.
Generally it can be concluded that 2 kg B ha-1 significantly affected flowering and fruiting of Rio Grand cultivar.
Key Words: Lycopersicon esculentum , Boron, Flowering, Fruiting.
Citation: Naz, R. M. M., S. Muhammad, A. Hamid and F. Bibi. 2012. Effect of boron on the flowering and
fruiting of tomato. Sarhad J. Agric 28(1): 37-40
INTRODUCTION
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) belongs to the family Solanaceae and is one of the most popular,
important and widely used vegetable crops. In Pakistan two crops are produced, one is the spring crop and the other
is the autumn crop. The yield potential and quality can be improved by maintaining proper fertilizer application.
Nutrition plays an important role in tomato production. Tomato crop requires heavy manure and sufficient amount
of fertilizers for heavy yield. For improving plant growth and development, use of organic and inorganic manure or
fertilizers is essential. It is well established fact that chemical fertilizers improve plant growth directly
(Splittstoesser,1990). Like other nutrients, boron has a pronounced effect on the production and quality of tomato.
Boron is needed by the crop plants for cell division, nucleic acid synthesis, uptake of calcium and transport of
carbohydrates (Bose and Tripathi,1996). Boron also plays an important role in flowering and fruit formation
(Nonnecke, 1989). Boron deficiency affects the growing points of roots and youngest leaves. The leaves become
wrinkled and curled with light green colour. Its deficiency affects translocation of sugar, starches, nitrogen and
phosphorus, synthesis of amino acids and proteins (Stanley et al., 1995). In boron deficient plants the youngest
leaves become pale green, losing more colour at the base then at the tip. Boron deficiency symptoms will often
appear in the form of thickened wilted, or curled leaves, a thickened, cracked, or water soaked condition of petioles
and stems, and discoloration, cracking or rotting of fruit, tubers or roots. (Tisdale et al., 1985). In order to correct the
above mentioned problem in tomato production this piece of research work was under taken.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This research project was conducted at Horticultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University,
Peshawar Pakistan during 2008-2009. A field block measuring 224 m2 was selected and ploughed thoroughly.
Recommended doses of nitrogen (Urea), phosphorus (Single Super Phosphate) and potash (Sulphate of Potash) was
incorporated at the rate of 150, 100, 60 kg ha-1 respectively. Soil samples were collected from experimental area at a
depth of 0-20 cm for analyzing Boron. The results showed deficient Boron with 0.4 ppm and 7.9 pH. Boron (0, 0.5,
1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0kg ha1) was applied at final bed preparation mixing with the soil. The experiment was laid out in
Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors. Thirty six beds measuring 2 m in length and 2 m in width
were raised. Two varieties Rio Grand and Rio Figue were selected for study. Seed was sown in January for raising
nursery plants in raised beds prepared with a growing media of farm yard manure, soil and sand with 1:1:1 ratio and
the bed was covered with a thin polyethylene sheet against the bad weather. Seedlings were prepared for
transplanting in first week of March. Transplantation was done on both the sides of raised bed at 45 cm plant to
plant distance and 1.5 m between rows. The plots were irrigated immediately after transplantation (Stanley et al.,
Raja Mohib Muazzam Naz et al. Effect of boron on the flowering and fruiting of tomato … 38

1995). Uniform cultural practices were followed throughout the growing season. Data were recorded on the number
of flower cluster per plant, fruit set percentage, total yield, fruit weight loss and total soluble solid.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Number of Flower Cluster Plant-1
It is evident from Table I that maximum number of flower cluster plant-1 (27.73) were observed in plants
receiving 2 kg B ha-1 while minimum number of flower cluster plant-1 (16.75) were noticed in control treatments.
The means of different cultivars revealed that maximum number of flower cluster plant-1 (24.48) were noticed in Rio
Grand cultivar, while minimum (22.69) were found in Rio Figue cultivar. The higher number of flower cluster plant-
1
might be due to optimum supply of B. Dey (2000) reported that optimum supply of boron stimulated the uptake of
phosphorus by plant roots and might have promoted more flower clusters formation, as phosphorus directly
promotes flowering Balley(1999) also obtained similar results.
Table I Effect of different concentrations of B on number of flower Cluster Plant-1 of Rio Grand and Rio Figue cultivars of Tomato
Cultivars
B kg ha-1 Rio Grand Rio Figue Mean
Control 17.13 16.37 16.75 c
0.5 23.69 22.24 22.97 b
1.0 25.83 23.16 24.50 b
2.0 30.70 24.77 27.73 a
3.0 24.17 26.43 25.30 ab
5.0 25.35 23.16 24.25 b
Mean 24.48 22.69
Means with differrent letter (s) in columns are significantly different at P < 0.05.
Fruit Set Percentage
Maximum fruit set percentage (55.83) was obtained with 2.0 kg B ha-1, while minimum fruit set percentage
(39.77) was recorded with control treatments. The mean of different cultivars revealed that highest fruit set
percentage (51.13) was noticed with Rio Grand cultivar while lowest fruit set percentage (48.85) was found with Rio
Figue cultivar. In the interaction of treatments and cultivars maximum fruit set percentage (59.34) was recorded in
2.0 kg B ha-1 in Rio Grand cultivars, while lowest fruit set percentage (37.91) was noticed with control treatments in
Rio Figue cultivar. The results clearly indicated that B plays a vital role in fruit set of tomato plants. The highest
fruit set percentage might be due to optimum boron application, as boron plays important role in maintaining cell
integrity, improving respiration, enhancing metabolic activities and uptake of nutrients. Nonnecke (1989) also
obtained similar results.
Table 1I Effect of different concentrations of B on fruit set percentage of Rio Grand and Rio Figue cultivars of tomato
Cultivars
B kg ha-1 Rio Grand Rio Figue Mean
Control 41.64 d 37.91 e 39.77 c
0.5 54.11 b 51.18 bc 52.64 ab
1.0 49.63 c 52.14 bc 50.88 b
2.0 59.34 a 52.32 bc 55.83 a
3.0 51.52 c 49.57 c 50.54 b
5.0 50.54 c 50.01 c 50.27 b
Mean 51.13 48.85
Means with differrent letter (s) in columns are significantly different at P < 0.05.
Total Yield
Maximum yield (34840 kg.ha-1) was obtained with 2.0 kg B and lowest yield (21210 kg ha-1) was obtained
with untreated treatment. Comparing the means of cultivars it is clear from the Table III that maximum yield
(29516 kg ha-1) were observed in the Rio Grand cultivars, while least yield of (28085 kg ha-1 ) was obtained with
Rio Figue cultivar. The interaction effect was also significant. Maximum yield (36160 kg ha-1) were noticed with 2.0
kg B ha-1 Rio Grand cultivar, while minimum yield (20250 ha-1) were recorded in Rio Figue cultivar whit no B
application. Boron 2.0 kg per hectare gave maximum yield of (34840 kg ha-1) as compared to minimum of 21210 kg
ha-1 in control. Oyinlola and Chude (2004) also obtained similar results.
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.28, No.1, 2012 39

Table III Effect of different concentrations of B on total yield (kg ha-1) of Rio Grand and Rio Figue cultivars of tomato
Cultivars
B kg ha-1 Rio Grand Rio Figue Mean
Control 22170 i 20250 j 21210 f
0.5 27450 g 24570 h 27010 e
1.0 32560 c 30450 d 31510 b
2.0 36160 a 33520 b 34840 a
3.0 30550 d 29310 e 29930 c
5.0 28210 fg 28410 f 28310 d
Mean 29516 a 28085 b
Means with differrent letter (s) in columns are significantly different at P < 0.05.
Fruit Weight Loss
Maximum (4 g) weight loss was observed with control treatments. While minimum weight loss (2 g) was
observed with 2.0 kg B ha-1. The interaction effect was also significant. Maximum fruit weight loss (4 g) was
observed in control treatments with Rio Figure cultivar. Boron plays an important role in uptake of calcium and
transport of carbohydrates. In case of B deficiency the rate of respiration increases and thus more water loss. In
boron deficient plants enzymatic activity increases which increases the loss of water from the fruit surface. Boron
availability increases calcium synthesis which reduces respiration, that might decreased amount of moisture loss
from the fruit surface Stanley et al., (1995) also obtained similar results.
Table IV Effect of different concentrations of B on the average fruit weight loss (g) of Rio Grand and Rio Figue cultivars of Tomato.
Cultivars
B kg ha-1 Rio Grand Rio Figue Mean
Control 4.00 a 4.22 a 4.11 a
0.5 3.188 c 3.26 bc 3.22 b
1.0 2.60 d 2.25 e 2.42 c
2.0 1.62 f 1.81 f 1.71 d
3.0 3.55 b 2.57 d 3.06 b
5.0 2.50 de 2.71 d 2.61 c
Mean 2.91 2.80
Means with differrent letter (s) in columns are significantly different at P < 0.05.
Total Soluble Solids
Maximum total soluble solids (50 Brix.) were produced with control, while, minimum total soluble solids
3 Brix were observed with 1.0 kg B ha-1 Maximum total soluble solids (50 Brix) were recorded in the Rio Figue
0

cultivar, whereas minimum total soluble solids 2 0Brix were observed in the cultivars Rio Grand cultivar. The
interaction effect was also significant. Maximum total soluble solids (50 Brix) were noticed with control in Rio
Figue cultivar, while minimum total soluble solids (10 Brix) were recorded with 2.0 kg B ha -1 of Rio Grand
cultivars. Boron deficiency usually results in calcium deficiency. Calcium and boron deficiency results in faster fruit
ripening. Thus, the un-treated fruits have higher sugar contents than the treated fruits which might be resulted in
more total soluble solids. Mahajan and Sharma (2000) also obtained the same results.
Table V Effect of different concentrations of B on Total Soluble Solids 0 Brix of Rio Grand and Rio Figue cultivars of Tomato.
Cultivars
B kg ha-1 Rio Grand Rio Figue Mean
Control 4.17 f 5.90 a 5.03 a
0.5 3.47 g 4.81 d 4.14 b
1.0 1.73 j 4.91 c 3.32 e
2.0 1.66 j 5.03 b 3.34 e
3.0 2.60 i 4.63 e 3.61 d
5.0 2.71 h 4.73 d 3.72 c
Mean 2.72 b 5.00 a
Means with differrent letter (s) in columns are significantly different at P < 0.05.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It is clearly established from the above given discussion that B is an essentional nutrient for growth and
flowering in tomatoes. On the basis of results recorded from this trial, the following recommendations can be
generalized; among various treatments used, 2 kg B ha-1 showed better results regarding most of the parameters.
Raja Mohib Muazzam Naz et al. Effect of boron on the flowering and fruiting of tomato … 40

Between the two cultivars (Rio Grand and Rio Figue), more significant affects of B regarding growth and flowering
were observed with Rio Grand which is a processing type cultivar.
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