Effects of poultry manure and NPK (23:10:5) fertilizer on tomato variety tanya grown on selected soil of Morogoro region, Tanzania

Effects of poultry manure and NPK (23:10:5) fertilizer on tomato variety tanya grown on selected soil of Morogoro region, Tanzania

2014

E09020

This study was convened because of low levels of tomato produced in soils of Tanzania with poor fertility status. It compared effects of poultry manure and NPK (23:10:5) fertilizer to the performance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). Poultry manure was applied at 2, 4 and 8 t ha-1 and NPK fertilizer at 20, 40 and 80 kg ha-1. Results showed that the highest number of leaves (70) and shoot length (93 cm) were recorded at 8 t ha-1 and lowest (46 and 57 cm, respectively) at 2 t ha-1 of poultry manure. These variables were far small (18 and 55 cm, respectively) for absolute control. In addition, 40 kg NPK ha-1 recorded the highest shoot length (91 cm) and 20 kg NPK ha-1 lowest (60 cm). Many tomato fruits (31) were produced at 8 t ha-1 poultry manure compared with 22 in 40 kg NPK ha-1 and differed significantly (p<0.001) with absolute control (5) and among treatments. The smallest (823 g) and highest (2338 g) weights of fruits recorded per plant at 2 and 8 t ha-1 poultry manure, respectively, differed significantly (p<0.01) among treatments and absolute control (341 g). The smallest (676 g) and highest (1668 g) weights recorded at 20 and 40 kg NPK ha-1, respectively, also differed significantly (p<0.01). It was concluded that poultry manure at 8 t ha-1 and NPK (23:10:5) fertilizer at 40 kg ha-1 are sufficient for tomato plants but the former outweighs the latter.

6(2):165-175, ASIAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE

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