Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) as Influenced by Poultry Manure and Biochar in Two (2) Soil Depths

Abstract

Background and Objective: Unproductive soil has been a major problem to farmers, recent interest in the use of a stable organic manure (biochar) as soil amendment and poultry manure to increase soil fertility is also increasing. Hence, the experiment was conducted to assess the condition of poultry manure and biochar on the growth and yield of tomato.
 Materials and Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry Ibadan, using polyethylene bag with 5 kg soil collected at two (2) soils depths, 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth at the botanical garden, Federal College of Forestry Ibadan. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. The treatments used were poultry manure (5t/ha), biochar (10t/ha), mixture of poultry manure and biochar (1:1) and control (no amendment).The tomato seeds (UC82B) were sourced from NIHORT, Ibadan and raised in a germination basket. Data were collected weekly on plant height, collar diameter and number of leaves, 50% days to flowering and yield of tomato plants from two weeks after transplanting (WAT). Data collected were analyzed statistically using ANOVA while means were separated using LSD (p<0.05) where applicable.
 Results: In 0-15 cm soil, the growth variables (plant height, number of leaves and collar diameter) increased with various treatments used. The highest tomato height was observed with the application of biochar (10t/ha). All the treatments applied affected the number of tomato leaves at all weeks after transplanting (WAT) with poultry manure 5t/ha having the highest number of leaves at 7WAT, while collar diameter was significantly affected by various treatments from 2 to 5 WAT, with the mixture of P.M + BIO (1:1) recording the highest value and the control plot recorded the least values in all weeks. However, in 15-30 cm soil, there was significant difference in the number of leaves of tomato among all the amended soil from 5 to 7 WAT, the highest tomato leaves were obtained when the soil was amended with poultry manure (5t/ha) and can be compared with other treatments. Interaction of poultry manure and biochar(1:1) and poultry manure 5 t/ha resulted in highest height of tomato plant from 3-7 WAT as compared to the control that had the least value but were not significantly different from the sole application of biochar 10t/ha. Interaction of poultry manure + biochar (1:1) and poultry manure (5t/ha) gave the highest tomato flowering and fruits.
 Conclusion: Based on this result, biochar and poultry manure when added to soil, boosted the mineralization of the soil after amendment.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth, yield parameters and economics in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) under Southern Rajasthan conditions

“…A relatively higher fruit yield per plant was also observed under application of T The increase in yield may be the result of more vegetative growth, which includes an increase in plant height, the number of branches per plant, the length and diameter of the fruit, and the availability of more nutrients, especially nitrogenous fertiliser, which actively participates in cell division and cell elongation and increases growth parameters that are necessary for photosynthesis and the accumulation of food reserves in the curd farm. The findings of Thakur and Thakur (2012) [23] , Manoj (2014) [17] , Singh et al (2015) [12] , and Musa et al (2020) [19] agree with the findings of the present study. The possible reason for increase in yield is might be due to better inorganic nitrogen utilization in the presence of organic and biofertilizers, enhanced biological nitrogen fixation, better development of root system and possible synthesis of plant growth hormones, Madalageri and Dharmatti (2006) [14] and Mallika et al (2022) [16] also agreed with the present findings.…”

The Influence of Poultry Manure-Derived Biochar and Compost on Soil Properties and Plant Biomass Growth

“…Similar results were obtained by Musa et al (2020), where tomatoes obtained a height of 400–450 mm after using dried poultry manure and biochar from poultry manure. Compared to the soil without additives, the height of the tomatoes did not exceed 300 mm [ 72 ].…”