Effects of Split Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Furrow Irrigated Tomato Production

Abstract

Managing soil nutrient under irrigation system production is important for improved yield production. This experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the split application of nitrogen fertilizer at various growth stages of tomato under furrow irrigation. The treatments were: 100% (required by soil of the area) of urea at transplanting time (T1), 100% of urea at development period (T2), 50%  of urea at transplanting time and 50% at development period (T3), 25% of urea at transplanting   time and 75% at development period (T4) and no fertilizer application (T5). These five treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Application of 50% of urea at transplanting time and 50% at development period provides higher yield (39.33 ton/ha). The next higher yield was observed at application of 25% of urea at transplanting time and 75% at development period (33 ton/ha). The minimum yield was observed at no fertilizer treatment. Application of 100% urea at transplanting time or at development period provides lower yield than spilt applied treatments. This result indicated that split application of nitrogen (urea) fertilizer is better system of application in furrow irrigated tomato production.

Keywords: Fertilizer, Tomato, Nutrients, Split application, Yield