Combined Effect of Calcium Nitrate and Potassium Nitrate on the Seed Germination Rate, Growth and Morphology of Solanum lycopersicum L.

Abstract

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth and establishment may be influenced by the balance of calcium and potassium supplied during early development. Aims: At present, Solanum lycopersicum L. is one of the most widely grown vegetables in many countries. The present study was undertaken to determine the combined effect of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate on tomato seed germination rate, seedling establishment and growth, morphology, and yield. Study Design: Six experimental sets were prepared as nutrient supplements for the field experiment, with different concentrations of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany, Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, West Bengal, India. The duration of the study was 100 days. Methodology: A 100-day field experiment was conducted on Solanum lycopersicum. Six experimental sets were prepared as nutrient supplements for the field experiment, with different concentrations of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate. Results: The study observed treatment-related differences associated with the combined concentrations of calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate in seed germination rate, seedling growth, morphology, flowering time, and fruit set in Solanum lycopersicum. The nutrient solution prepared by mixing 255 mg Epsom salts, 12.5 mg iron chelate, 200 mg monoammonium phosphate, 750 mg calcium nitrate, and 900 mg potassium nitrate in 1 litre of distilled water produced the highest overall values for seed germination rate, seedling growth, morphology, flowering time, and fruit set in Solanum lycopersicum. Conclusion: This study concludes that the absence of potassium nitrate in the nutrient solution has the most deleterious effect on tomato growth and yield, followed by the absence of calcium nitrate in the nutrient solution.