Comparative Effectiveness of Organic-Based Fertilizer To Mineral Fertilizer on Tomato Growth and Fruit Yield

Abstract

The effect of three different organic based fertilizers (OBF) was compared to conventional chemical fertilizer on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The OBF is composted plant material fortified with poultry manure. The compost used was made from Maize (MP), guinea grass (GP) and cowpea (CP) stovers in combination with poultry manure in ratio 3:1 by weight. Two rates of each compost type (4t/ha, and 2t/ha + 30kgN/ha), the recommended rate of mineral fertilizer (i.e. 60kg N/ha) and nonfertilizer control plants constituted the treatments. Chemical analysis of the matured composts showed that CP compost produced the highest N while MP compost gave the best P, K, Ca and Mg. Compost type significantly influenced growth and yield characteristics with MP compost either at 4t/ha or 2t/ha + 30kgNha consistently producing the best results with significantly higher marketable fruit yield than the nonfertilized plants. The OBF was highly effective on crop performance and was favorably comparable with the chemical fertilizer. Irrespective of the compost type, OBF significantly increased dry matter and fresh fruit yield by 29.6% and 36.3% respectively and was well compared with applying 60kgN/ha in form of chemical fertilizer. Hence, the idea of OBF is a worthwhile venture in boosting agricultural production in Nigeria.

Effect of Chicken Manure Combined With Bio-Fertilizers, Mineral Fertilizer and Some Foliar Applications On: 1- Vegetative Growth and Some Chemical Constituents of Tomato Leaves.

“…Increases in the vegetative growth of tomato plants by applying chicken manure might be referred to its role in enhancing soil physical prosperities as soil texture, water holding capacity and it creates good aeration in soils and decreased the pH value and consequently nutrients in the soil became more available for enhancing plant growth. This result is in agreement with Togun and Akanbi (2003), Adenawoola and Adejoro (2005), Ewulo et al (2008) and Ayeni et al (2010).…”

Improvement of soil properties and nitrogen utilisation of sunflower by amending municipal solid waste compost

“…This result could be due to both mineral phosphorus fertilisation (50 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 year -1 ) for all treatments tested and municipal solid waste compost content for the Ncompost treatment. The exchangeable potassium decreased in all experimental treatments, especially in the control (93.0 mg kg -1 equal to 9.8%) and in Nmineral (9.7%) treatments compared with Ncompost (6.0%), strengthening the potential of mineral fertilisation of municipal solid waste compost (Giusquiani et al, 1988;Eriksen et al, 1999;Togun and Akanbi, 2003). No increase in the total content of heavy metals and other elements (Na, Mg and Ca) was found in the Ncompost treatment at the end of the two-year experiment, although a slight, but not significant, increase was observed for lead content.…”

A Study on Organic Tomatoes: Effect of a Biostimulator on Phytochemical and Antioxidant Activities

“…Idah and others [17] treated Roma cultivar using chemicals and revealed that moisture was lower in control plants than that in chemically treated groups. Togun and Akanbi [18] used different types and doses of fertilizers on tomato plants and found that the dry matter accumulation increased in tomato fruits. However, the difference between control and treatment groups was not significant.…”