Using tomato to assess the bio-productivity of two different ecosystems in four different land slopes (Published)
Unplanned agricultural activities characteristic of Nigerian agricultural system and southeast in particular strongly exposed the watersheds to adverse climatic conditions and consequently reduce their productivity. The bio productivity of two different ecosystems in four different land slopes using tomato as a test crop were evaluated in Amawbia southeast, Nigerian. An experiment arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) were conducted on four slopes of the watershed, while complete randomized design (CRD) were used for the pot experiment carried out on the soil of the two management systems (managed and unmanaged ) and NPK at the rate of 150kg/ha with three replicates. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and significant mean differences were detected using the least significant difference (LSD). The findings from the study showed that plain (slope 4) recorded the highest value in the parameters assessed. Values increased as slope gradients decreased in both managed and unmanaged system as well as natural environment and NPK results. In managed plots, natural environment of the four slopes studied significantly increased growth and yield component of tomato than the unmanaged plots. Slope four (plain) of the unmanaged plots were found to have recorded statistically similar result with the managed plots in all the parameters assessed except for the plant height, stem girth and the dry weight of tomato respectively.
Keywords: Ecosystem, Gradient, Tomato, bio productivity, plant growth parameters, slope