Cow Dung, Goat and Poultry Manure and Their Effects on the Average Yields and Groth Parameters of Tomato Crop

Abstract

A field experiment to investigate the effects of application cow dung, goat and poultry manure on the average yield and growth parameters of a tomato variety was carried out at the Research Farm of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, North-Eastern part of Nigeria during 2012 planting season. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The variables measured were plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and fruit yield obtained. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using LSD at five percent level of significance. Results obtained indicated that growth and yield of tomato was lowest in control treatments which showed that the organic manures used in the study especially poultry manure positively influenced the performance and yield of tomato. The results also revealed that plots treated with poultry manure gave the highest number of leaves and branches per plant and fruit yield of 28.0t/ha. Comparatively, lesser fruit yield of 11.5t/ha was obtained with the application of goat manure. Cow dung produced 3.5t/ha of tomato fruits while the least yield of 1.2t/ha of tomato were recorded in the control treatments. Based on the findings of the experiments it could be deduced that poultry manure seems to promote higher growth yield of tomato. Thus, it should be recommended for growers of tomato crop in the study area. Goat manure commonly found in the area may be applied for maximum growth parameters.

Keywords: Organic manure, Growth parameter, Yield and Tomato variety.