SIAM WEED (Chromolaena odorata) AND COWDUNG COMPOST EFFECTS ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, YIELD and MINERAL NUTRITION OF TOMATOES(Lycopersicon esculentum L)

Abstract

Greenhouse trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of siam weed (chromolaena odorata) and cowdung compost on physicochemical properties, yield and mineral nutrition of tomatoes(lycopersicon esculentum l). The nutritional value of tomato makes it one of the crop that is a daily household consumption by every family.Compost was prepared in this study from Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) and cowdung. Three compost samples were prepared from Cowdung and siam weed at ratio 100g: 100g (sample A), 200g chopped siam weed (sample B) and 200g cowdung (sample C). These three samples were composted in plastic drums perforated for aeration and each sample was replicated three times. The content in the drums were regularly turned and monitored at 1, 10, 30 and 60 days for physicochemical properties. The physicochemical and mineral element analyses of the compost were carried out using standard procedures.The pH of the composted samples ranged between 5.8 to 6.9. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents increased with days of composting while those of heavy metals decreased. The result of plant height for the two varieties ranges between 5.31-119.8, number of fruits is between 11-21 and the yield (kg) parameter ranges between 0.76-1.91. Treatment. A gave higher mineral element over other treatment applied. The order of mineral elements contributed to the fruits were as follows treatments A>C>B>D