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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Growth, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as influenced by foliar sprays of nano-DAP fertilisers

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12855
Submitted
21 November 2025
Published
31-05-2026

Abstract

This field study, conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Chhatabara, during the 2024–25 winter season, tested the hypothesis that foliar nano-DAP sprays (formulations 8:16:0 and 2:5:0) at varying concentrations, combined with reduced nitrogen and phosphorus (P) fertilisers, could enhance tomato (cv. Utkal Pallavi) growth, yield and quality compared to standard practices. Ten treatments featured nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) at different doses alongside 100 % recommended fertiliser [125 kg nitrogen (N), 50 kg phosphate (P₂O₅), 100 kg potash (K₂O) ha-1] or 75 % N/P₂O₅ with full K, plus uniform farm yard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha-1. The top performer, T10 [75 %  recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus (RDNP) + 100 %  potassium (K) + nano-DAP 2:5:0 at 5 ml L-1], delivered superior plant height (PH) (57.57 cm), stem girth (SG) (4.27 cm), fruits/plant (54.80), yield/plant (1.83 kg), fruit weight (55.73 g), total yield (325.15 q ha-1) and total soluble solids (TSS) (4.87° Brix)-a 14.66 %  yield gain over the control [T2 (75 % recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF)]. Additional benefits included earlier flowering at 26 DAS in T9 (75 % RDNP + 100 % K + nano-DAP 2:5:0 at 4 mL L-1), elevated ascorbic acid (22.40 mg g-1) and improved soil nutrient levels. Nano-DAP (2:5:0) at 5 mL L-1, combined with 75 % RDNP and full K, offers a novel, efficient strategy for sustainable tomato production with strong economic gains.

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