Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizer Application and their Residual Effects on the Yield and Yield Components of Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum. Mill) in two Distinct Ecological zones of Central Southern Nigeria.

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in two ecological zones of Central Southern Nigeria; Agbede (derived savanna) and Obadan (forest) of Edo State to investigate poultry manure and NPK fertilizer and their residual effects on performance of tomato. The treatments consisted of three levels of poultry manure (0, 4 and 6 t PM ha -1 ) and four levels of NPK fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150kg NPK ha -1 ). Factorial experiment using randomized complete block design was engaged. Plant height and leaf area were significantly increased by the application of 6 t PM ha -1 and 6 t PM ha -1 plus 50kg NPK ha -1 and 6 t PM ha -1 plus 100kg NPK ha -1 in both locations and years, respectively. The application of 4 t PM ha -1 alone in 2005 and its residual effects significantly enhanced plant height and leaf area in both locations. In Obadan soils, optimum fruit yields of 3.42 and 2.85 t ha -1 were obtained from the combined application and residual6 t PM ha -1 plus 100kg NPK ha -1 , while in Agbede soils, optimum fruit yields of 1.44 and 1.55 t ha -1 were obtained from the application and residual 6 t PM ha -1 plus 50kg NPK ha -1 and their residual effects respectively. Responses to manure fertilizer