Two field experiments were conducted in private sector farm at Elhawa village, Kafr ElSheikh
governorate during the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 on cv. tomato hybrid Morse 44 to elucidate the effect
of soil addition and foliar spray of some growth stimulators on improving growth and productivity of tomato
grown under saline soil condition. The study included 16 treatments which resulted from the combination of
four soil addition treatments included Hummer as a source of humic acid at (5g/L), Double win as a source of
seaweed extract at (5g/L) and Freesal as a source of calcium and glutaric acid at (5ml/L) in addition to the
control treatment via four foliar spray treatments, i.e., Amino power as a source of amino acids at (1ml/L) .,
Sward as a source of salicylic acid at (1g/L) , monopotassium phosphate at (1g/L) and the control treatments .
Results clearly showed that application of soil addition treatments three times in growth season starting 7days
after transplanting and every 10days by intervals reduced the negative effect of soil salinity on measured
vegetative growth aspects of tomato plants and increased plant height, number of branches and leaves /plant and
fresh and dry weight of plant as well as leaves area compared to the control. In this respect, using seaweed
extract exhibited the highest values in all measured growth traits compared with other tested treatments. Also,
such treatment increased chlorophyll content, N, P, K, Ca and proline, however it decreased Na concentration in
plant foliage compared to the control . In addition, both fruit yield per plant and feddan as well as marketable
fruit yield were increased, while unmarketable yield was decreased as a result of soil application treatments .
The quality trait of tomato fruits i.e ., average fruit weight , length , diameter , fruit firmness , T.S.S. , vitamin C
and total acidity were increased . The highest values were connected with using seaweed extract in both seasons
. Spraying the plants with amino acid , monopotassium phosphate and salicylic acid three times during the
growing season after 3 weeks from transplanting and every 2 week by intervals tended to alleviate the negative
effect of soil salinity and increased all the foregoing vegetative growth measurements, chemical constituents of
plant foliage, fruit yield and its components as well as tested physical and chemical fruit quality characters . The
highest value in all studied growth , chemical constituents , fruit yield and its quality attributes were recorded in
case of using salicylic acid compared to other spray treatments. Also , all the studied interaction treatments
significantly enhanced vegetative growth , chemical constituents of plant foliage , fruit yield and its components
as well as physical and chemical fruit quality . Treatment included the combination of seaweed extract and
salicylic acid was the most effective treatment in this respect. |
