Growth, Fruit Yield, and Quality Responses of Two Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) to Nitrogen Sources and Organic Mulches in Kadawa, Kano State, Nigeria.

Growth, Fruit Yield, and Quality Responses of Two Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) to Nitrogen Sources and Organic Mulches in Kadawa, Kano State, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Three field trials were conducted at the Irrigation Research Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa, Nigeria, during the dry seasons of 2016, 2017, and 2018. The study aimed to investigate the growth, fruit yield, and quality responses of two irrigated tomato varieties (Lycopersicum esculentum (L.)) to different nitrogen sources and organic mulches. The experimental design included two tomato varieties (UC82B and Rio Grande), two organic mulches (rice straw and sugar-cane peels) applied at recommended rates of 5.5 t ha-1 and 11.0 t ha-1 (4 cm thick), respectively, along with a control (No mulch). Additionally, three nitrogen sources were tested: mineral fertilizer, poultry droppings, and a combination of mineral fertilizer with poultry droppings, all applied at the recommended rate of 90 kg N ha-1, with a control (No application).

The main plots were assigned to the tomato varieties and nitrogen sources, while the subplots were designated for sugar-cane peels mulch, and the entire experiment was replicated three times. The results revealed that the Rio Grande variety exhibited significant advantages over UC82B, showing taller plants, a wider canopy, high relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, low evapo-transpiration rate, longer days to 50% flowering, and higher fruit yield of 57.89 %, as well as a marketable yield of 63.54 %. However, both varieties showed no significant difference in quality traits evaluated.

Furthermore, the study found that organic nitrogen sources, particularly poultry droppings, enhanced tomato fruit qualities (appearance, decay, and shelf life) and nutritional qualities more effectively than inorganic nitrogen sources. Among the nitrogen sources, the combination of mineral fertilizer with poultry droppings showed superiority in promoting growth and development. Organic mulching materials, such as rice straw and sugar cane peels, significantly improved growth and yield characteristics compared to the un-mulched plots.

The correlation and path analysis indicated that the number of leaves had the highest direct contribution in 2016 and 2017, while plant height had the highest direct contribution in 2018. Overall, plant height had the highest individual percentage contribution, and when combined with leaf area index, it contributed the most significantly.

Based on the cost and return analysis, it was found that using poultry droppings (2.88 t ha-2) with sugar-cane peels mulch (11.0 t ha-1) for the Rio Grande variety resulted in the highest gross margin. In conclusion, the Rio Grande variety demonstrated superior fruit yield, while both varieties were suitable for higher fruit quality. Poultry droppings applied at the recommended rate (2.88 t ha-2) were recommended for promoting increased growth, fruit yield, and quality of tomatoes on a sustainable basis. Moreover, sugar-cane peels mulch (11.0 t ha-1) was identified as a suitable alternative to rice straw mulch.

Growth, Fruit Yield, and Quality Responses of Two Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) to Nitrogen Sources and Organic Mulches in Kadawa, Kano State, Nigeria.

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