Effect of Organic (Cow Dung Slurry) and Inorganic (N: P: K 15:15:15) Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon Lycopersicum) in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria (Published)
A pot experiment was conducted in April 2018 in faculty of Agriculture, Kogi state university, Anyigba. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments in four replications and results obtained were subjected to analysis using ANOVA and means were separated at 5% level of probability using Fisher Least Significant Difference Test. The treatment consisted of a control (T0), 2 tonnes/ha of cow dung slurry + 50 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (T1), 4 tonnes/ha of cow dung slurry + 50 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (T2), 6 tonnes/ha of cow dung slurry + 50 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (T3), 8 tonnes/ha of cow dung slurry + 50 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (T4).Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, number of branches, number of fruit per plant, and fruit diameter respectively. It was observed that the organic and inorganic manure used increased the soil physical-chemical properties as well as the performance parameters of the test crop (Tomato). Recommendation was made at the rate of 6t/ha of cow dung slurry +50kg of NPK 15:15:15 (T4) for optimum yield and performance of tomato.
Keywords: Cow dung slurry, Fertilizer, Growth, Inorganic, Organic, Tomato, Yield
Phosphorus Adsorption Isotherms of Some Low Activity Clay Soils As Influenced By Soil Properties and Their Effect on Fertilizer P Recommendations and Yield of Soybean (Glycine Max (L.) Merr.) In Benue State, Nigeria (Published)
The relationship between labile P sorbed to the soil surface and solution P can be described by a quantity-intensity relationship which shows P sorption or desorption as a function of P in the equilibrium solution. Twelve soils in Benue state representing Alfisols, Ultisols and Inceptisols were therefore used to examine the influence of soil properties on the shape and placement of their adsorption curves and yield of soybean. Sorption characteristics were determined in 0.01 M CaCl2 solutions of various P concentrations. For each soil, the amounts of P that gave 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125, 0.150, 0.175, 0.200, 0.225, 0.250 mg kg-1 solution concentrations were estimated from adsorption curves. In the greenhouse, 4 kg of soil from each location was placed in plastic pots. Amount of P estimated from sorption study was added as KH2PO4. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and soybean seed variety (TGx 1448-2E) was planted and growth and development observed to maturity. Optimum solution P concentration (SPC) was determined for each soil in relation to yield. At harvest, SPC that gave highest grain yield was evaluated for each soil and the quantity of P required (SPR) to achieve this concentration was calculated. Consequently, Odoba would require highest P fertilizer application (604.84 Kg P ha-1), (Tor-Donga 112.31, Abeda-Mbadyul 105.93) would require medium fertilization, (Utonkon 72.75, Katsina-Ala and Ofugo 67.64, Akoodo-Mbakor and Nor 61.26, Ogyoma 39.56, Otobi 33.18 and Abaji-Kpav 22.97 Kg P ha-1)would require low fertilization while Vanam (2.55 Kg P ha-1) would require the least.
Keywords: Adsorption, Fertilizer, Growth, Isotherms, Phosphorus, soils, soybean
Growth and Fruit Yield of Tomato As Influenced by Combined Use of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer in Kabba, Nigeria (Published)
Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of integrated use of chemical and organic fertilizers on growth and fruit yield of tomato in Kabba College of Agriculture. The experiment involved five treatments which are as follows: 125kh/ha NPK+3t/ha poultry manure, 125kg/ha NPK+3t/ha cow dung, 125kg/ha NPK+3t/ha kitchen waste, 125kg/ha NPK 15:15:15 and Control. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated four times. The parameters taken on soil chemical properties are soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and soil organic matter. Growth and yield parameters taken are as follows: plant height (cm), number of leaves, and stem girth (cm), number of fruit per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm) and yield per land area (kg/ha). Result obtained from parameters studied (Plant height, leaf numbers, branch number, stem girth, fruit number per plant and fruits weight) revealed that tomato performed better (P<0.05) with the application of 125kg/ha NPK+3t/ha poultry manure application. The also, study showed that use of inorganic and organic fertilizer had better effects on growth and yield of tomato. Therefore, for good yield and better productivity of tomato, a combination of 125kg/ha NPK fertilizer + 3t/ha poultry waste is recommended for tomato production in the study area.
Keywords: Fertilizer, Growth, Inorganic, Organic, Tomato, Yield