Effect of NAA and GA3 on quality and fruit yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

The field experiment was carried to check effect of NAA and GA₃ on quality and fruit yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) during the agricultural year 2023-24 at the Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan). The experimental design used was a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) consisting of 16 treatment combinations. These treatments involved four different levels of NAA (0, 10, 15 and 20 ppm) and four levels of GA₃ (0, 30, 60 and 90 ppm), each replicated three times. The key parameters observed during the study included fruit yield and quality parameters such as ascorbic acid content, reducing and non-reducing sugars. The results clearly demonstrated that the combination of NAA at 20 ppm and GA₃ at 90 ppm (N₃G₃) was significantly superior in enhancing all the studied parameters. The fruit yield per hectare also reached its peak at 99.62 tons, significantly higher than the control and other treatments. Furthermore, the fruit quality parameters were also notably improved, with this treatment yielding fruits with the highest total soluble solids (6.45°B), ascorbic acid content (35.48 mg/ 100 g), reducing sugar content (3.35%) and non-reducing sugar content (3.63%). In contrast, lower levels of NAA and GA₃ or their absence led to comparatively lower yield. In conclusion, the study establishes that the combined application of NAA at 20 ppm and GA₃ at 90 ppm maximizes the fruit yield and quality of tomato. This combination also proves to be the most economically viable, ensuring optimal returns for growers under the agro-climatic conditions of Jaipur, Rajasthan.