Effect of Calcium and Magnesium on Flowering and Fruiting of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2021|ISSN 2454-6194

Effect of Calcium and Magnesium on Flowering and Fruiting of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

Wangoli W. Janeclare¹*, Omami N. Elizabeth², Opile W. Reuben³, Ochuodho O. Julius⁴, Oluko S. Patrick^5
1,²,³,⁴Dpt. of Seed, Crop and Horticultural Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret.
⁵Dpt. of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Kibabii University, P.O. Box 1699-50200, Bungoma.
*Corresponding author

Abstract: The influence of CaCl2 and Mg on growth, yield, and quality of tomato was investigated in Uasin Gishu (in Chepkoilel) and Bungoma counties, between June-October 2016, and March-July 2017. The experiment was laid out with a randomized complete block design. CaCl2+Mg foliar (1.5% and 2.0%) solutions was applied as foliar sprays in combination with soil application of CaO and NPK fertilizer on three tomato varieties- Cal-J, Riogrande and Nyati. Data were recorded for days to 50% flowering, the highest number flowers per cluster, fruits per plant, yield, fruit weight, fruit firmness, and total soluble solid content of the fruit. The application of CaCl2+Mg at 2% in T12 (30Kg P/ha+4tons/ha+2% calcium and magnesium) significantly increased the days to 50%flowering, number of flowers, and the number of fruits per plant. Foliar application of CaCl2 (2.0%) + CaO (4t/ha) resulted in the minimum number of days to 50% flowering (18.67 in Chepkoilel and 22 in Bungoma), the highest number of flower clusters (Bungoma 51.67 and 52.33 in Chepkoilel), the highest number of flowers (Bungoma 239.67 and Chepkoilel 201.33), highest number of fruits per plant (Bungoma 99.67 and Chepkoilel 96.33), and highest yield (Bungoma 10.55t/ha and Chepkoilel 9.63t/ha).

Key words: Calcium chloride, foliar application, tomato

Introduction

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is one of the most widely grown, and used vegetable crops. In Bungoma and Chepkoilel, maize crop is the most popular produced. However, recent years has seen these farmers have to face several challenges, including drastic price reduction, outbreak of pests and diseases (e.g. Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease), exhaustion of cultivated soils (Kuete, 2008; Okalebo et al., 2002; Gillermou and Kamga, 2004). Therefore, it becomes urgent to search for alternative income-generating products. In this context, seasonal cultures such as vegetables and fruits are gaining more and more interest. This has seen a rise in tomato growing farmers in a paradigm shift and diversifying their farming production systems

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