Effect of Nano Urea and Organic Liquid Fertilizers on Growth, Yield, Fruit Quality and Economics of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

Aim: The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, to evaluate the effects of nano urea and organic liquid fertilizers on the growth, yield, fruit quality and economics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Methodology: The field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2025-26 in a factorial randomized block design. Factor A comprised four nitrogen-management regimes: control (N0), 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + two foliar sprays of nano urea at 4 mL/L (N1), 75% RDF + two foliar sprays of nano urea at 4 mL/L (N2) and 100% RDF without nano urea (N3). Factor B comprised control (O0), vermiwash at 100 mL/L (O1), Jeevamrit at 100 mL/L (O2) and seaweed extract at 3 mL/L (O3). Sixteen treatment combinations were replicated three times. Results: The N1 x O3 combination (100% RDF + two nano urea sprays at 4 mL/L + seaweed extract at 3 mL/L)                    recorded the highest plant height at 45 days after transplanting (101.48 cm) and at harvest (192.59 cm), number of                    branches per plant (10.54) and dry matter content (13.56%). It also recorded the highest number of fruits per plant (24.40), average fruit weight (92.48 g), fruit yield per plant (2.12 kg) and reported fruit yield per hectare (47.14 t/ha). The same treatment recorded the highest TSS (7.24 OBrix), beta-carotene (18.46 mg/g), total sugars (6.62%), titratable acidity (0.67%), lycopene (6.84 mg/g) and ascorbic acid (24.62 mg/100g), together with the highest numerical net return (INR 400,231.19 per ha) and B:C ratio (2.70). Conclusion: Under the conditions of this single-season experiment, N1 x O3 showed the most favorable overall combination of growth, yield, fruit-quality and economic responses. Validation across additional seasons and locations is required before making a broad agronomic recommendation.