Proximate Composition of tomato Genotypes as influenced by different nutrient sources in Minna

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of different nutrient sources on nutritional quality of tomato. The field experiment was carried out during 2018 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University of Technology, Minna and laboratory analysis was carried out at the Department of Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Minna. Fresh matured fruits of tomato that have been subjected to four nutrient sources were harvested and evaluated for proximate analysis. The experiment was a factorial experiment involving three tomato cultivars and four nutrient sources which was applied and replicated three times. The experimental design was a 3X4 factorial arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the effect of nutrient sources on tomato fruits proximate and significant means were separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at (0.05) probability levels. The result showed that nutrient sources significantly affected (P<0.05) the nutrient quality of tomato fruits. Application of Urea fertilizer at 300 kgN/ha was significant than other nutrient sources on tomato fruit nutient. Hence 300 kgN/ha of Urea fertilizer is adequate for tomato fruits nutrient quality. UC82B and Dan Zaria varieties showed higher values of all the proximate parameters when compared to Roma Savannah.