Evaluation of Agronomic Parameters of Potted Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L) Mill) at Different Rates of Poultry Manure Compost

Aims: The main aim of this preliminary screenhouse experiment was to examine the growth and fruit yield of a hybrid tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum (L) Mill) variety ‘ROMA VF’ at different rates of poultry manure compost (PMC).

Study Design: The experimental design used was the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications.

Study Area and Duration: The trial was carried out in Calabar (040 5’E and 070 25’E., 37 meters above sea level) located in a high rainforest area of Southeastern Nigeria from March to June in 2016 and 2015.

Methodology: Five rates of PMC used as treatments were 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t/ha. Manure was mixed thoroughly with soil in each bucket in the ratio of 1:3. One seedling of the tomato variety, ‘ROMA VF’ was transplanted at four weeks old into each plastic pot perforated at the bottom in the screenhouse. Five buckets constituted the experimental unit. Pots were placed 30 cm apart within each unit and 1m between adjacent units to avoid overcrowding. The plants were supplied with water every three days throughout the experiment to avoid moisture stress. All the plants were provided with wooden stakes to support and keep them upright and off the floor. Data analysis was done using ANOVA technique and means compared using Fisher’s LSD at 5% level of probability.

Results: Results obtained showed that 10 t of PMC/ha significantly (P = .05) influenced both growth and fruit yield parameters evaluated more than other rates. This level of PMC produced tallest plants (97.7 cm) with thickest stems (2.0 cm) and the highest number of branches (25.5 branches/plant) bearing the highest number of leaves (89.5 leaves/plant) with highest leaf area (43.8 cm2/plant). Plants in this treatment also produced the highest number of fruits/plant (50.3) with highest fruit weight/plant (363.9 g) and the highest fresh fruit yield of 65.57 t/ha.

Conclusion: Tomato responded best to PMC at 10 t/ha which could be adopted for increased productivity of tomato under screenhouse conditions in Calabar.