Chemical phytotoxicity and use of ethrel as ripening agent on productivity and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Field experiments were conducted during 2005-06 at Jalpesh, Jalpaiguri in West Bengal to study the chemical phytotoxicity of most frequently used pesticide (endosulfan) and fungicide (mancozeb) on productivity and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill. nom.cons.). The plots were treated with endosulfan and mancozeb separately as well as its mixture at different concentrations influenced the plant growth and development adversely. Yield decreased (36.36%) for fungicide and pesticide (50.76%) with the increasing doses of chemicals (0.5-2.5 g or ml/litre) but with their mixture @ 1.5 g mancozeb and 1.5 ml endosulfan/litre, yield increased (up to 121.96%) significantly over the control. Maximum peroxidase activity was observed after application of mixture. No significant changes of free radical scavenging activity were observed even after the application of remarkably higher doses of endosulfan and mancozeb and thereby indicating no adverse effect on the quality of fruits. Application of ethrel @ 1.5 ml / 100 ml. v/v on mature tomatoes increased the overall quality by enhancing the level of carotene and lycopene. The use of higher doses of pesticide and fungicide than the recommended doses may be phytotoxic to tomato plants.