As tomato growers, ensuring healthy growth and maximizing the yield of our crops is always a top priority. One way to achieve this is by utilizing growth regulators and micronutrients during the crucial flowering and fruiting stages. These components play a significant role in promoting robust plant growth, enhancing flower and fruit production, and ultimately maximizing our tomato harvest.
In this article, we will explore the benefits and applications of growth regulators and micronutrients for tomato plants and their recommendations to optimize tomato crop growth and yield.
Plant Growth Regulators
Plant growth regulators are the chemical substances that regulate the growth and development of plants. They are also called plant growth hormones.
Benefits of using Plant Growth Regulators
- They can reduce vegetative growth and stimulate reproductive growth, leading to increased flower and fruit production.
- These regulators, also referred to as phytohormones, possess the ability to speed up or slow down the rate of growth in plants.
- They actively facilitate the formation of leaves, flowers, stems and the ripening of fruit.
Note: It is important to use plant growth regulators judiciously, considering the specific requirements of your crop.
Recommended Plant Growth Regulators
Taboli
- Technical Content: Paclobutrazol 40%, Paclobutrazol (PBZ)
- Dosage: Use 1.25 to 1.5 ml per liter of water for foliar application (or) 250 to 300 ml per acre for drip irrigation.
Ethrel
- Technical Content: Ethephon 39% SL
- Dosage: Apply 1 ml per liter of water through foliar application (or) use 200 ml per acre for drip irrigation.
Miraculin
- Technical Content: Triacontanol 0.05% EC
- Dosage: Use 0.75 ml per liter of water for foliar application (or) 150 ml per acre for drip irrigation.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are the essential elements required in small quantities for optimal plant growth. During the crucial flowering and fruiting stages, it is important to also consider micronutrients.
Importance of Micronutrients
- These essential nutrients play a pivotal role in fundamental processes such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and nitrogen fixation. Each of these processes contributes to the healthy development of tomato crops.
Recommended Micronutrients
Shamrock Ampoxcilin Combi 2 Multi Micronutrient
- Technical Content: Chelated Multi Micronutrient Fertilizer
- Dosage: Use 1 gm per liter of water for foliar application (or) 30 gm per acre for drip irrigation.
Multiplex Chamak
- Technical Content: Calcium & Boron
- Dosage: Apply 2.5 gm per liter of water through foliar application.
Multiplex Sulphur Liquid
- Technical Content: Sulphur 20%
- Dosage: Apply 2.5 gm per liter of water through foliar application.
Talwar Zinc Super 14
- Technical Content: Zinc EDTA 12%
- Dosage: Apply 1 to 1.5 gm per liter of water through foliar application.
Note: It is crucial to adhere to the recommended dosages and application methods for each product to achieve the optimal results.
Conclusion
Nurturing your tomato plants during the flowering and fruiting stages is crucial to achieve a healthy and abundant harvest. By utilizing the growth regulators and micronutrients as listed in this article, you can optimize growth and enhance the quality of fruit produced, thereby achieving a successful tomato harvest.
