Effects of Mineral Fertilizers on Growth and Fruit Yield of Tomato Variety (Lycopersicon Lycopersicum Mill) In the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Tswanya, M.N. and Olaniyi, J.O.

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published October,2016

 

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 2 (9), pp.147-153

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

Field experiment was conducted at the teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Niger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa, in 2013 cropping season to examine the effects of mineral fertilizers on growth and fruit yield of tomato. The experiment had twenty seven fertilizer treatments namely: nitrogen (0, 30 and 60 in kg N ha^-1), phosphorus (0, 25 and 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^‑1) potassium (0, 16.5 and 33 kg K₂O ha^-1) and their combinations and replicated three times. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, number of flowers, number of fruits and total fruit yield. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) SAS package and treatment means compared using Duncan multiple range test at 5% probability level. Application of 60 kg N ha^-1 + 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 + 33 kg K₂O ha^-1 fertilizer gave the highest plant height (71.2 cm) at 6 WAT, while the least (11.8 cm) was obtained from un-fertilized plot at 2 WAT. Fertilizer rates of 60 kg N ha^-1 + 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 + 33 kg K₂O ha^-1 had the highest fruit yield (27.81 t ha^-1) while the least (9.96 t ha^-1) was obtained from un-fertilized plot. Fertilizer rates of 60 kg N ha^-1 + 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 + 33 kg K₂O ha^-1 increased growth and fruit yield. It is therefore recommended for tomato growers within the study area.

Key Words: Tomato, Mineral Fertilizers, Rates, Growth and Yield.
 

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