Role of Nutrients and Biofertilizers for Improved Tolerance of Tomato under Elevated Co2 Induced High Temperature Stress
A. S. Arunima *
Department of Plant Physiology, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
R. V. Manju
Department of Plant Physiology, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
M. M. Viji
Department of Plant Physiology, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
S. Roy
Department of Plant Physiology, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
S. Sarada
Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, 695 522, Kerala, India.
R. Beena
Department of Plant Physiology, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to understand the role of different nutrients and biofertilizers on the stress tolerance of the tomato variety Vellayani Vijai under elevated CO2 induced high temperature condition. A pot culture study was done with 9 treatments included 50 ppm B + 50 ppm Zn + water spray (T1), 75 ppm B + 75 ppm Zn (T2), POP 150 ppm N + 125 ppm P+ 125 ppm K (T3), Azolla (Soil application) (T4), Azolla biofertilizer extract (20 %) (foliar application) (T5), Azolla biofertilizer extract (20%) (seed treatment) (T6), POP, KAU + PGPR1(T7), Control (water spray) (T8), Absolute control(T9). The application of 50% extra N and 25% extra P and K (T3) each than the recommended doses as per POP, KAU (Package of practices, Kerala Agricultural University) as well as foliar application of B and Zn at two different concentrations and foliar application of Azolla biofertilizer extract (20%) was found to be effective in inducing stress tolerance in tomato plants under elevated CO2 condition by improving the relative water content, cell membrane stability index and proline content.
Keywords: Biofertlizers, climate change, elevated Co2, nutrients, stress tolerance, tomato