Performance of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as influenced by silica and biochar in Polyhouse condition

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of soil‐applied biochar and silica, combined with foliar silica sprays, on the growth, yield, quality and economics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under polyhouse conditions. Conducted from August, 2024 to February, 2025 at the Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit, Udaipur, the experiment employed a completely randomized design with fifteen treatments: biochar (@100 and @200 kg/acre), silica (@100 and @200 kg/acre), foliar silica (1% and 2%), and all possible combinations. Combined amendmentssignificantly enhanced vegetative growth (plant height, branches number and leaf area), accelerated flowering, harvest and improved fruit attributes (size and weight). The highest performance was achieved by T11 (Biochar @200 kg/acre + 2% foliar silica), yielding 3.47 kg per plant and 12.83 kg per meter square. These findings demonstrate that integrating biochar and silica optimizes tomato productivity, fruit quality and profitability in protected cultivation.