Growth and Yield Response of Tomato to the Application of Fertilizer and Some other Cultural Practices
*1,2A.A. Adeyemi, 2O.Z. Aregbesola, 2T.K. Adewumi, 2O.M. Ogunrewo
1 Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora
2 Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo
*Corresponding author: draadeyemi@yahoo.com, Tel: 234-8034074060
Accepted on June 3, 2014
Abstract
Investigations were carried out at the Research Farm of the Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora to determine the effects of fertilizer application and some cultural practices on the growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.). Tomato plots were subjected to two levels of NPK (15-15-15) fertilizer at 0 and 250 kg/ha and four cultural practices of Staking, No Staking, Pruning, and No Pruning to give eight treatment combinations. Growth parameters (plant height, girth and total leaf area/plant) of tomato were periodically measured to evaluate its growth performance while its fruit yield was obtained by harvesting the fruits at maturity when the fruits were moderately ripened. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at probability level of 5%. Results showed that treatments had significant effects on the growth and yield of tomato throughout the periods of experiment. Plant height, girth and total leaf area per plant of tomato were highest in plots Staked/Pruned followed by Staked/Not Pruned and Not Staked/Pruned tomato in that order while the variables/attributes were the least in Not Staked/Not Pruned plots. Growth parameters were also significantly increased with fertilizer application. Fruit yield of tomato similarly followed the same trend of growth parameters with yield occurring in the order of Staked/Pruned>Staked/Not Pruned>Not Staked/Pruned>Not Staked/Not Pruned tomato.