Effect of Different Types of Fertilization on Weed Flora in Processed Tomato Crop

Abstract

Abstract A field experiment was conducted in 2014 to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization on weed flora in processed tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and four treatments (compost, sheep manure, inorganic fertilizer and control). The effect on the weed was determined by the use of different diversity indices (Shannon- Weiner, Simpson, Pielou and Richness). It was found that Simpson index was higher in compost, while Shannon- Weiner index in control treatment. Pielou index had a similar trend with Shannon – Weiner index. The biodiversity of weed flora was similar for all the treatments and the number of species was greater by 44% in the compost in relation to the control, and by 19% in relation to manure and inorganic fertilization (k-dominance). It was observed that Amaranthus retroflexus was the dominant species in all treatments. Its presence in experimental plots with compost was 64%, 44% and 40% higher than control, sheep manure and inorganic fertilization, respectively. Moreover, density and dry weight of weed flora were not affected by different organic fertilization. In conclusion, the results indicated that processed tomato crop can be grown in organic systems, without the organic fertilizers having a negative effect on weeds.