EFFECT OF COWDUNG ON THE PERFOMANCE OF TOMATO

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Crop Production Department, Federal University of Technology Minna, Gidan Kwanu Campus to determine the effect of different levels of cow dung on the performance of tomato. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of five levels of cow dung (0, 7.5, 12.5, 17.5, and 22.5 t/ha). The application at 17.5 t/ha resulted in the highest plant height and number of fruits, while at 22.5t/ha there were no corresponding increase in the number of fruits at harvest. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in plant height at 3 weeks after transplanting (WAT) but significantly (p <0.05) different at 6 and 9WAT. Also, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in the number of leaves at 6 and 9WAT. At 6WAT, the highest number of flowers (8) was observed when 17.5t/ha was applied, while the lowest was recorded in 0t/ha. The highest number of leaves (7) were observed when 7.5 t/ha was applied while the lowest (1) was recorded when 0 t/ha was applied. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in fruit weight at harvest. The result showed that application of cow dung at 17.5 t/ha resulted in highest yield of tomato, while additional higher level of cow dung at 22.5 t/ha did not result in corresponding increase in the of yield of tomato.