Journal of Applied Life Sciences International

Aims: The current piece study was conducted to find out the role of exogenous foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and calcium (Ca²⁺) on growth, reproductive behavior and yield of tomato.

Study Design: The single factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: At the experimental farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during the winter season of November 2013 to April 2014.

Methodology: BARI Tomato-15 was used as planting material. Six different treatments viz., A₀=0 mM of SA and 0 mM Ca²⁺, A₁=0.25 mM SA and 0 mM Ca²⁺, A₂=0 mM SA and 5 mM Ca²⁺, A₃ =0.25 SA and 5 Ca²⁺, A₄ =0 of SA and 10 Ca²⁺ and A₅ = 0.25 SA and 10 mM Ca²⁺ were applied in the morning at 15, 30, and 45 days after transplanting (DAT). Data of plant height, branch plant^-1, cluster plant^-1, flowers plant^-1, fruits plant^-1, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm) and yield were recorded and analyzed for logical interpretation.

Results: The morphological and yield contributing characters as well as yield of tomato were positively influenced with single and combined application salicylic acid (SA) and calcium (Ca²⁺). Significant increase of plant height and number of leaves plant^-1 at 20, 40 and 60 DAT was observed with the application of A₃ treatment. Application of A₃ treatment also showed significant influence on production of cluster plant^-1 (20.44), flowers plant^-1 (168.1), and fruits plant^-1 (99.42) as well as fruit yield (72.57 t ha^-1). However application of A₄ treatment failed to improve the morphological and yield contributing characters as well as yield of tomato over the A₀ treatment (control).

Conclusion: Results suggest that combined application of SA and Ca²⁺ successfully increase the tomato fruit yield by altering the morphological and reproductive characters.