Effect of vermicomposts on vegetative growth and yield characters of tomato infected with fusarium wilt

Abstract

In vivo experiment was conducted in the screen house of the Federal College of Horticultural Technology Dadin Kowa, Gombe State. The objective of the studies was to evaluate the bio-efficacy of bio-enriched vermicomposts on seedling growth and yield of tomato infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. A 2 x 5 factorial experiment consisted of Two tomato varieties (Roma VF and UC 82B), three bio-enriched vermicomposts: - poultry manure based – (POBCO), cow dung based – (COBCO) and rice bran based – (RIBCO); CAMAZEB® as check and un-amended soil (UNASO) as control were laid in a randomised complete block design. Three and a half kilograms (3.5 kg) of sterile top-soil was amended with 900 g of POBCO, COBCO, RIBCO and un-amended soils (UNASO) were placed in plastic pots. The treatments (10) were replicated three times. Results on the growth parameters and yield components were significantly higher on Roma VF than UC 82B. Roma VF grown on soil amended with POBCO significantly produced plants with the highest number of leaves (200) and branches (18); and tallest plants (77.5 cm), compared to the other treatments. Highest yield (2.1 kg plant-1), fresh shoot (343.1 g) and fresh root (84.7 g) weights were recorded on Roma VF transplanted in POBCO-amended soils. Application of 900 g of POBCO as soil amendment on Roma VF is recommended as sustainable source of fertilizer for tomatoes under green house or screen house conditions.