Effects of Mineral Fertilizers on Growth and Fruit Yield of Tomato Variety (Lycopersicon Lycopersicum Mill) In the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria
Tswanya, M.N. and Olaniyi, J.O.
Full Length Research Paper I Published October,2016
Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology
ABSTRACT
Field experiment was conducted at the
teaching and
Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,
Ogbomoso and Niger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa, in
2013 cropping season to examine the effects of mineral
fertilizers on growth and fruit yield of tomato. The
experiment had twenty seven fertilizer treatments namely:
nitrogen (0, 30 and 60 in kg N ha-1), phosphorus
(0, 25 and 50 kg P2O5 ha‑1)
potassium (0, 16.5 and 33 kg K2O ha-1)
and their combinations and replicated three times. The
experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design
(RCBD) and data were collected on plant height, number of
leaves, number of flowers, number of fruits and total fruit
yield. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA)
SAS package and treatment means compared using Duncan
multiple range test at 5% probability level. Application of
60 kg N ha-1 + 50 kg P2O5
ha-1 + 33 kg K2O ha-1
fertilizer gave the highest plant height (71.2 cm) at 6 WAT,
while the least (11.8 cm) was obtained from un-fertilized
plot at 2 WAT. Fertilizer rates of 60 kg N ha-1 +
50 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 33 kg K2O
ha-1 had the highest fruit yield (27.81 t ha-1)
while the least (9.96 t ha-1) was obtained from
un-fertilized plot. Fertilizer rates of 60 kg N ha-1
+ 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 33 kg K2O
ha-1 increased growth and fruit yield. It is
therefore recommended for tomato growers within the study
area.
Key Words: Tomato, Mineral
Fertilizers, Rates, Growth and Yield.
- Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology (JASFT)
- Journal of Medical and Biological Science Research (JMBSR)
- Journal of Scientific Research and Essays (JSRE)
- Research Journal of Educational Studies and Review (RJESR)
- Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies (JPSES)
- Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (RJET)
- Pearl Journal of Management, Social Science and Humanities (PJMSSH)