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The Effect Of Poultry Manure On The Growth And Yield Of Two Varieties Of Tomatoes (lycopersicon Esculentum)
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0INTRODUCTION
The tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum)
belong to the family of solanaceae. It is one of the most important
vegetable in Nigeria and in many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical
regions of the world. According to Hussaini et al., (2000) the crop rank
first in importance among vegetables in Nigeria. It is grown mainly for
its fruits, which is used almost daily in every home.
Tomato is an
annual herbaceous plant which takes about 75 - 85 days to attain
maturity. The plant may reach a height of 2m depending on the variety.
The leaves are large, greenish, deeply cleft, with many leaflets. The
leaves are arranged alternatively along the stems. The flowers are
pinkish to yellow in contour, borne in clusters of four to six flowers
sometimes more, formed on the stems between the leaves. Tomatoes fruits
exist in many shapes appearing large and round, oval or elongated,
depending on the variety. The fruits may be orange, yellow or red when
ripe, usually with numerous kidney or peer shaped, hairy, light brown
seeds (Tindall, 1993).
Tomato is a warm season plant that requires
temperature of about 20-270c for most cultivars. Excessive rainfall and
high relative humidity can be harmful to it. A deep loamy soil well
drained rich in organic material with a pH of 6.2 – 6.8 for optimum
growth and development. It is a nutritious vegetable with increasing
demand in Nigeria. As documented by United States Dietary Allowance
(2008) tomato fruit provide 95% water of its edible portion and the
remaining 5% compose of miscellaneous compound among which include
carotenoids, ascorbic acids, alcohol, insoluble solids (proteins)
cellulose, pectins, polysaccharides and inorganic compound which give
the fruit its characteristic flavor and aroma. In addition, Micheal
(2006) revealed that tomatoes are among the food plants to which
moderate level of anti cancer activities is associated. It also contains
Vitamin A which is a remedy for night blindness.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]A field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City to investigate the effect of different levels of poultry manure on the growth and yield of two varieties of tomatoes. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatment composed of four levels of poultry manure (0, 5, 10 and 15 tha-1) and two varieties of tomato (UC82-B and Roma VF). Each replicate had 8 p ... Continue reading---
