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VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATO AS AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION OF ORGANIC MULCH AND GYPSUM UNDER SALINE RHIZOSPHERE

RAFAT SAEED¹ AND RAFIQ AHMAD²

Abstract: The present study was carried out to observe the effects of organic mulch with and without gypsum on vegetative growth and reproductive yield of tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. F₁ Avinash) under control (non-saline) and saline rhizosphere. Significant decrease was noticed in vegetative growth and reproductive yield proportionate to increasing salinity levels, while application of mulch treatments revealed significant increase under both the conditions.  The salinity hazard reduced upto considerable extent. Data with reference to plant height, fresh and dry vegetative biomass, number and weight of fruit/plant and circumference of fruit showed comparatively higher growth at all the parameters in T₄ (mixture of mulch and gypsum) followed by T₃ (gypsum alone), T₂ (mulch alone) and T₁ (control without mulch or gypsum) under saline as well as non-saline conditions. Among the biochemical effects, total soluble carbohydrate was increased, total proteins and chlorophyll were proportionally decreased in all treatments with increasing salinity levels. Water potential significantly increased with increasing salt stress while treatment of above mentioned mulches lowered down this value. Solute potential also shows increase with increasing salinity while mulch and gypsum treatments show significant decline both alone and in combination.  Our results suggest that application of organic mulches with or without gypsum to soil being irrigated with saline water increases the yield by reducing salinity hazards which could be quantified on growth of tomato plant.

¹Department of Botany, Sir Syed Govt. Girls Degree College, Karachi

²Biosaline Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.