Field experiments were carried out to assess the impact of 100% NPK fertilizer recommendation (300 kg NPK 20:10:10), 100% Tithonia compost (TC), 75% NPK + 25% TC, 50% NPK + 50% TC, 25% NPK + 75% TC and control (non-fertilized plant) on the growth, fruit yield, nutritional and lycopene contents of three tomato varieties (Raoma VF; Ogbomoso local and Califonia wonder). The experiment was a split plot fitted into a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data were collected on growth and reproductive parameters, fruit and seed attributes, and fruit proximate and nutritional contents. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance to determine significant means. Significant varietal differences were observed among the tomato varieties in terms of growth, fruit yield and nutritional attributes. The plant dry matter yield was highest in Ogbomoso local and least in Roma VF. Fruit yield obtained with Ogbomoso local was 45 and 56% higher than what was obtained for Roma VF and Califonia wonder, respectively. In terms of vitamin C content, Roma VF fertilized with 50% NPK + 50% TC gave the highest value which is 23 to 67% higher than values obtained from the other treatment combinations. Again, irrespective of variety, organically grown tomato contains higher content of lycopene. It was also observed that the higher the proportion of TC compost in the treatments, the better the lycopene content. It could be concluded that the use of organic fertilizer has potential in improving the growth, fruit yield and nutritional contents of any of the three tomato varieties studied.

No abstract

A 2 x 3 factorial experiment was conducted in cropping season at the old Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Minna, to determine the effect of land configuration and crop residue – mulch on the growth and yield of millet in Minna, Southern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. It was a randomized complete block design with two types of land configuration (ridge and flat surface) and three mulch application rates (0, 10 and 15 t/ha), replicated three times. Composite soil samples were collected from the experimental site at 0 – 15 and 15 – 30 cm depths prior to the commencement of this study, for the determination of initial soil physicochemical properties. Crop growth parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of tillers per plant and leaf area index at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after planting. Yield indices determined were panicle length and stover yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at 0.05 level of significance, while means separation was done using Duncan’s multiple range test. Findings in this study showed that planting on ridge resulted in taller (P ≤ 0.05) millet plants and a higher number of leaves per plant, a higher number of tillers per plant and higher leaf area index than planting on the flat. Plant height, the number of leaves per plant, the number of tillers per plant, leaf area index, panicle length and stover yield increased with increasing mulch application rates.