Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 8(1): 236 - 242. Published August 2008.
Effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers application on the growth, fruit yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
Olaniyi J.O and Ajibola A.T.
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Corresponding author email: olaniyikunle2005@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers application on the growth, yield and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum).
Methodology and Results: Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria in the cropping seasons of 2004 and 2005. The treatments consisted of two levels of urea (0 and 60 kg.N ha-1) and five levels of poultry manure (Pm) (0, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 t. ha-1). The growth parameters (plant height and number of leaves) showed increasing response as the amount of fertilizer applied increased. The combined application of the two types of fertilizers resulted in the highest marketable fruit yield. The content of essential nutrient elements increased and was also influenced by fertilizer treatments, except K in all the treatments.
Conclusion and application of findings: The yield and nutritional quality of tomato fruits were significantly improved by the application of sole poultry manure and mineral N fertilizer at 6.0 t. pm and 60 kg.N ha-1 respectively, or their combined application at 30 kg.N by 6.0 t. Pm ha-1. The yield and quality of tomato fruits produced with poultry manure are comparable with those obtained using mineral N fertilizer. Poultry manure can therefore be a suitable replacement for inorganic fertilizer in tomato production.
Key words: tomato, yield, nutrient contents, poultry manure, mineral N fertilizer.
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