Effect on morphological and phenological parameters
Among the different treatment the maximum plant height was found in T12
(35.06 cm) at 30 DAT and T6 (76.06, 125.16 cm) at 60 and 90 DAT. It was followed by T6 (33.40 cm) at 30 DAT and T12 (73.93, 124.23 cm) at 60 and 90 DAT which were statistically at par with each other as illustrated in Table 1. Minimum plant height was recorded in T13 (29.47, 62.46 and 93.96 cm) at 30, 60 and 90 DAT respectively. This increase in plant height is due to the production of more chlorophyll content with the inoculation of nitrogen fixers. The other reason for increased vegetative growth may be the production of plant growth regulators by bacteria in rhizosphere, which are absorbed by the roots. In addition, the growth-promoting substances that are produced in high quantities by the action of rhizosphere microorganisms influence the overall morphology and physiology of different crops
(Sumbul et al., 2020). Bacteria promote plant growth under both normal and stress conditions using direct mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, potassium solubilization, phytohormone production, iron sequestration or indirect mechanisms for the protection of plants against various pathogens by antibiotic release, the induction of systemic resistance and competition
(Goswami et al., 2020) which is found in conjugation to
Pandey et al., (2023), Tadesse et al., (2021) and
Salim et al., (2018) in Tomato, Barley and Broccoli.
It is evident from data shown in Table 2 that biofertilizer treatment had found statistically insignificant influence on number of branches per plant at 45 DAT and significant at 90 DAT. Minimum number of branches per plant recorded in control (8.93, 19.80) at 45 and 90 DAT. Whereas maximum number of branches per plant was found in T12 (11.73) at 45 DAT and T
6 (24.33) at 90 DAT followed by T6 (10.56) at 45 DAT and T12 (23.2.) which were statistically at par with each other.
Nagoni et al., (2017) in their research revealed that application of 75 per cent RDF along with biofertilizer increase the number of branches over control. This also confirms the previous studies of
Shahram Sharafzadeh, (2012) and
Salim et al., (2018) in tomato and Broccoli. This biological fertilizer increases the availability of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates in the roots and leaves of the R. serpentina plant. This formulation also increases the alkaloid content in the roots of this plant which leads to cell enlargement, cell division and ultimately resulting in increased plant growth
(Elita et al., 2022).
It was observed from the data illustrated in Table 2 that the biofertilizer had significant influence on days to 50% flowering. Treatment T12 -75% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas takes significantly the minimum days to 50% flowering (44.00) followed by treatment T6-100% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas, whereas control takes the maximum days to 50% flowering (51.66). The present research reveals that there had been a significant increase in number of flowers per plant by organic manures and bio-fertilizers treatments by
Meena et al., (2017). These findings are in conformity with the reports of
Meena et al., (2017) and
Sharma et al., (2022). The effect of biofertilizer on phenological parameter may be due to more vegetative growth consequently increased translocation of photosynthesis towards reproductive organs. Earliness in cherry tomato could be due to its higher capacity to make available assimilates to the apex during the sensitive phase before initiation as reported by
Prema et al., (2011).
Effect on yield parameter
As shown in Table 3 and 4, the maximum number of fruits per plant (136.63) and highest fruit length (4.36 cm) was recorded by treatment T6-100% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonasand also maximum fruit diameter (2.58 cm), fruit set percentage (69.66%), fruit weight (11.31 g) fruit yield/plant (1368.33 g) and highest fruit yield (311.10 q/ha) were observed in treatment T12-75% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas, whereas the minimum number of fruits per plant (95.17), fruit length (3.52 cm), fruit diameter (1.98 cm), fruit set percentage (60.00%), fruit weight (7.64 g), fruit yield/plant (856.33 g) and lowest fruit yield (197.73 q/ha) were observed in T13 - control. The morphological parameters like number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit diameter, plant yield per plantand fruit yield (t/ha) were highly significant similar work was reported by
Meena et al., (2017). The incorporation of
Azotobacter in integrated nutrient module leading to better growth and yield confirms the previous studies of
Shahram Sharafzadeh, (2012). The increase in yield might be due to increased fruit set per plant, due to the the fact that nitrogen fixers and phosphorous solubulizers (
Singh and Singh, 2009) which is in adherence to
Baba et al., (2018) in Tomato. Similar results were reported by
Poonia and Dhaka, (2012).
Nagoni et al., (2017) revealed that applicationof 75 per cent RDF along with biofertilizer had stimulatory effect of biofertilizers especially
Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria for the development of photosynthetic structures like size of the chloroplast and the number of grana mm
-2.
Shukla et al., (2009) reported that the supply of essential nutrients to tomato, their availability, acquisition, mobilization and influx into the plant tissues increased and thus improved growth and yield components.
Effect on quality parameters
In accordance to the data observed in Table 4, differential response of Azotobacter and Pseudomonas treatment had significant influence on total soluble solids. The lowest TSS reading (4.78°Brix) was recorded by treatment Control. Where the highest TSS reading (6.21°Brix) was observed with treatment T12 -75% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas. However, T6 - 100% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas which was at par.
Ordookhani and Mahdi (2011) observed in the
Pseudomonas +
Azotobacter treatment which had differed significantly from other treatments.
Meena et al., (2017) postulated 75 % RDF along with 25% FYM and Azospirillum treatment combinations were highly significant. Similar results on cherry tomato found by
Prema et al., (2011), Islam et al., (2012) and
Sharma et al., (2022). Higher TSS might be due to the enhanced deposition of solids and more conversion of organic acids to sugars.
Economic parameters
The recorded data illustrated in Table 5 shows the maximum gross return (Rs 295545) was reported in T12 treatment and net return (Rs 225705.97) was noted by treatment T12- (75% RDF +
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas) due to which an improved B:C ratio (3.23) was obtained. Whereas the minimum gross return (Rs 187843.5) and net return (Rs124142.4) was found in Control (T13). Higher market price and less cost of cultivation are desirable characters for getting higher returns. The net realization was worked out from the yield of tomato by taking into consideration the prevailing prices of tomato fruits harvested during the experimentation.
Azotobactor @ 2 kg/ha+75% N + full dose of PK + full dose of FYM treatment combination significantly increased growth, yield and quality characters over RDF or organic manures alone thereby a saving of 25% chemical nitrogen application during the year of study also the maximum net returns to the tune of Rs. 148089/- and highest B:C ratio of 1:2.51 was recorded with the same treatment.
