Soil Amendments Improved Tomato Growth, Yield and Soil Properties

Abstract

Different soil amendments have varying effects on crop growth, yield and soil properties. The study evaluated the effect of poultry manure, inorganic fertilizer (NPK), and biochar-based fertilizer (organo-yield) on tomato growth, yield and post-cropping soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data on tomato growth and yield were collected and soils were tested before and after the cropping seasons. Analysis of variance was performed on the data and the effect of soil amendments on tomato growth and yield was determined. The effect of soil amendments on post-production soil properties was tested by comparing soil properties before and after the cropping seasons with published critical values. Results showed that all amendments increased the growth and yield of tomato significantly (P 0.05) compared to the control (without soil amendments). Plant height was higher in plots applied with soil amendments as compared to the control, while stem girth was highest in poultry-manured plots. Poultry manure and organo-yield applied plants exhibited high tomato fruit number and yield compared to control plots. In terms of soil properties, poultry manure and organo-yield improved the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Organo-yield decreased the soil bulk density and increased the pH from 4.8 to 5.5, while, application of NPK only increased calcium content in the soil. The findings confirmed that soil amendments applied increased tomato growth, and yield and also improved soil bulky density and pH.