Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on agro-morphological traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum (L.) Moench)

In order to determine the effect of organic and in-organic Fertilizers on agro-morphological parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum (L.) Moench), a field experiment was conducted between August to November 2019 at the Research Garden of Plant Science and Biotechnology Department, Kogi State University, Anyigba. The seeds were grown with four treatments: Poultry dung, N.P.K (15:15:15) fertilizer, Cow dung and the control group (without fertilizer). The treatments were arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates. The seeds were first sown in a nursery bed without fertilizer and later transplanted to ridges after four (4) weeks. Data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means with significant differences separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that application of poultry dung as soil amendment significantly (at p<0.05) supported higher plant height and stem girth (all through the growth period examined), number of fruits (8.75±1.49), fruit weight (25.30±4.75g), fruit length (6.60±0.31cm), fruit diameter (1.93±0.38cm). There was no significant difference in number of petioles, number of leaves and number of seeds per plant for all the fertilizer treatments. The result obtained indicated superiority of poultry manure over NPK fertilizer and cow dung application on crops as soil amendment. For optimum growth and development and subsequent yield of tomato, poultry manure is recommended as soil amendment.