1. INTRODUCTION
The recommended biofertilizer for tomato are Azotobacter in combination with PSB. However, mycorrhizal inoculation also gives additional benefit for mobilizing nutrients. Biofertilizers are applied as seed, seedling root dip and soil application method. Mycorrhizal biofertilizer is another aspect in tomato seedling treatment.

2. BIOFERTILIZER APPLICATION IN TOMATO BIOFERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION
AZOTOBACTER
PSB
MYCORRHIZA

3. SEED TREATMENT Keep the seeds required for sowing one
acre in a heap on a clean-cemented floor
or gunny bag.
Prepare culture suspension by mixing
one packet (200g) each of Azotobacter
and PSB biofertilizer in approx ml water
Sprinkle culture suspension on the tomato seeds and mix
Spread the seeds under shade for sometime for drying and then sow.
In place of water, rice glue {Kanji} can also be used for better results

4. SEEDLING ROOT DIP METHOD
Prepare the suspension
by mixing l kg (5 packets)
each of Azotobacter and PSB
culture in litres of water.
Get the tomato seedlings
required for one acre of land
Dip root portion of seedlings in the suspension for 30 minutes and transfer to the main field.

5. SOIL APPLICATION METHOD
Mix 2 –3 kg each of the Azotobacter and PSB culture packets with 100 kg of well decomposed cattle manure/ compost for one acre of land and Sprinkle water to the mixer
Keep the mixer overnight for curing
Broadcast into soil at the time of planting or at the time of irrigation
For long duration crop packets of biofertilizer (200g) are mixed with kg. Cattle manure or soil for one acre land

6. Mycorrhizal Application in Tomato
Apply mycorrhizal culture in the grape 100 gm per sq.m. three centimeter below the soil
For out planting, apply 20 gm mycorrhizal culture per seedling into the planting pit and cover with soil
For existing plant, apply mycorrhizal 200 gm near the root zone along with other fertilizers

7. LET US SUM UP
The mostly recommended biofertilizer for tomato are Azotobacter in combination with PSB.
Two methods are broadly used for biofertilization viz. seedling root dip and soil application method.
Mycorrhizal inoculation also gives additional benefit for mobilizing nutrients.
Mycorrhizal biofertilizer is another aspect in tomato seedling treatment.

8. ASSESSMENT Q. State true or false :
i) Mycorrhizal inoculation gives additional benefit for mobilizing nutrients.
ii) The ratio of inoculant and water is 1:15.
iii) packets of biofertilizer {each containing 200g} are mixed with cattle manure or soil in case of perennial crops.

9. ASSESSMENT Check your progress (Model Answers): i) True ii) False
iii) True

10. REFERENCES i) Bio-fertilizer and Organic Farming – NIIR Board
ii) Biofertilizers in Agriculture – N. S. Subba Rao
iii) Biofertilizers
(Potentialities and Problems) – S.P.Sen and P. Palit