Vasicine is a new biostimulant extracted from Adhatoda plant has influence many physiological and biochemical processes in plant. Because of highly consumable vegetable, increased production of tomato without usage any chemical compounds is a big challenge in agriculture. It may be possible only by using plant extracts called as biostimulants evidenced with physiological approaches. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of vasicine on gas exchange parameters, proline content, SOD activity and fruit yield in tomato under pot culture condition. The vasicine treatments include soil application (4 kg acre-1), foliar application (2 mL litre-1), combined application (soil + foliar) and control. The highest photosynthetic rate of 34.24 µmol m-2 s-1 and transpiration rate of 19.18 mmol m-2 s-1 were registered by combined application of vasicine. Foliar application of vasicine showed least leaf temperature of 33.05ºC and control recorded highest (35.10ºC). Combined applica

Vasicine, tomato, photosynthetic rate, leaf temperature, proline, SOD, fruit yield

The present study concluded that the combined application of vasicine in the form of vigo through soil (4 kg acre-1) and foliar spray (2 mL L-1) along with a recommended dose of fertilizers enhanced the photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, proline content, SOD activity and decreased leaf temperature with increased fruit yield compared to control in tomato. In comparison, foliar application of vasicine @ 2 mL L-1 twice at 15 and 30 days after transplanting is on par vales with the combined application. Hence, combined/foliar application of vasicine may be a viable and effective technology to increase fruit yield in tomato with environment safe.

Sivakumar, R. (2021). Effect of Foliar Application of Vasicine on Gas Exchange Parameters, Proline Content and SOD Activity in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(2): 70-77