Impact of Organic Amendments and Inorganic Fertilizers on Production Potential, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Nitrogen Balance in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

Tomato plant demands adequate plant nutrients especially nitrogen for optimum growth and yield. Amount of dry matter produced per unit of nitrogen applied or absorbed can be judged by estimating the nitrogen use efficiency of different nutrient sources used for tomato cultivation. The present experiment was aimed to examine the effect of 15 different combinations of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth and yield attributes, nitrogen use efficiency and soil nitrogen balance. The result revealed that tomato growth and yield attributes as well as different parameters of nitrogen use efficiency (PFP, AE, PUE and AR) were remarkably influenced by the application of different sources of nutrients. Substitution of 25% of recommended fertilizer dose was possible when higher amount of organic manures and biofertilizer were combined together. Vermicompost emerged as better organic nutrient source over farmyard manure. Inoculation with biofertilizer exerted more positive result over uninoculated treatments and benefits of biofertilizer application were prominent in presence of vermicompost. The nutrient schedule comprising of 75% recommended fertilizer dose of inorganic fertilizers and vermicompost (4 t/ha) inoculated with biofertilizer was found best for growth, yield attributes as well as the NUE parameters and soil nitrogen balance. This should be practiced to achieve desired yield, nutrient use efficiency and sustaining the fertility and productivity of soil.