Revalidation and optimization of NPK nutrients in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill) under furrow irrigation method in northern dry zone of Karnataka

An experiment entitled “Revalidation and optimization of NPK nutrients in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under furrow irrigation method in northern dry zone of Karnataka” was conducted at progressive farmer’s field during the rabi-summer of 2023. The experiment was laid out in a RCBD method having nine treatments and three replications. The results revealed that, T₃: 100% recommended dose of NPK fertilizer recorded higher plant height (88.48 cm), number of leaves plant^-1(67.78), number of branches plant^-1 (7.95), number of days for 50% flowering (37.96 days), number of fruits plant^-1 (1.71 kg per plant), dry matter production (20.83 t ha^-1), fruit yield (50.72 t ha^-1) which was found to be on par with treatment T₄: 75% recommended NPK. However, quality parameters i.e., TSS (4.84 Brix^o), vitamin A (3.95 mg 100g^-1) and lycopene content (12.64 mg 100g^-1) which was found to be on par with treatment T₄: 75% recommended NPK. Furthermore, total uptake of nutrients (N, P and K), soil available nutrients viz., N, P₂O₅ and K₂O including cost of cultivation, gross returns, net returns and BC ratio were registered highest in T₃: 100% recommended dose of NPK and it was on par with T₄: 75% recommended NPK. Whereas, lower growth. yield, nutrient uptake, availability and economics were recorded in T₁: absolute control.