THE RESPONSES OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicon L.) IN GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES TO GROUNDNUT SHELL AND OTHER SOURCES OF NUTRIENT

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of granulated groundnut shells and other sources of nutrients (poultry droppings, burnt groundnut shell, NPK 10:10:10,) on the growth and yield of tomato. The experiment comprised 5 treatments with 3 replicates each. The treatment consisted of 3 organic nutrient sources (poultry droppings, burnt groundnut shell, and raw groundnut shell) and 1 inorganic source of nutrient (NPK 10:10:10). They were applied at different rates depending on what quantity of the nutrient sources can supply the recommended kilogram (100) of Nitrogen per hectare. Groundnut shell was applied at the rate of 94.34g per 20kg of soil, burnt groundnut shell was applied at the rate of 161.29g per 20kg of soil, poultry dropping was applied at the rate of 99.01g per 20kg of soil, a mixture of groundnut shell and poultry dropping was also applied (groundnut shell was 47.17g+49.50g poultry droppings) = 96.67g per 20kg of soil and NPK 10:10:10 was applied at the rate of 10g per 20kg of soil. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on morphological parameters including the number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, number of branches, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to first fruiting, number of fruits, and weight of fruits. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a Statistical Analysis System (SAS) package. Means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT), and statistical means were tested at a 5% level of significance. The result of the study showed that a mixture of groundnut shells and poultry droppings enhanced the growth and yield of tomatoes more than any other treatment used.