EFFECT OF BORON ON THE FLOWERING AND FRUITING OF TOMATO

Experiment was conducted to study the effect of Boron (B) on the growth and yield of Rio Grand and Rio Figue cultivar of tomato at Horticultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during 2008- 2009. Different doses of B (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0kg ha^-1) with constant doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash was incorporated at the rate of 150, 100, 60 kg ha^-1 .The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 2 factors. Boron showed a significant effect on the growth and yield of tomato. However, 2 kg B ha^-1 resulted in maximum number of flower clusters per plant, fruit set percentage, total yield, fruit weight loss and total soluble solid. Rio Grand cultivar of tomato showed significant effect on all parameters. Maximum number of flower clusters per plant, fruit set percentage and total yield were recorded with Rio Grand cultivar of tomato. Generally it can be concluded that 2 kg B ha^-1 significantly affected flowering and fruiting of Rio Grand cultivar.