Effect of different growing media and bio-fertilizers on tomato production in plastic greenhouses

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with three different levels and type of growing media (soil: vermicompost: sand; 2:1:1, 1:2:1 and vermicompost: sand, 2:1) alongwith two bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) in factorial randomized block design with three replications to standardize agro-technique for tomato production under protected conditions. Out of different treatment combinations, soilless growing media comprising of vermicompost: sand; 2:1 alongwith seedling treatment with Azotobacter recorded the highest number of fruits per plant (58.95 & 54.00), average fruit weight (84.89 & 81.56 g), fruit yield per plant (5.01 and 4.40 kg), total soluble solids (5.18° & 5.21°B), ascorbic acid (36.45 & 33.88 mg per 100 g) and lycopene content mg per 100 g (5.21 & 5.22 mg per 100 g) during both the years.