Effect of animal manure ammended spent grain and cocoa husk on nutrient status growth and yield of tomato

Abstract

Combined use of crop and animal wastes is necessary in order to obtain adequate amount of organic manure fro use in crop production. Hence field experiments were conducted at two sites in Akure, Southwest Nigeria to compare effect of NPK (15-15) fertilizer (200 kg ha-1) and each of Spent Grain (SG) and ground Cocoa Husk (CH) amended with Cattle Dung (CD), Poultry Manure (PM) and Goat Manure (GM) at equal rates (12.5:12.5 t ha-1). The effects of treatments on leaf N, P and K concentrations growth and fruit yield of tomato were studied. Compared with control, NPKF and animal manure amended SG and CH increased leaf N and K, plant height, number of branches, leaf area, number and weight of fruits significantly (p>0.05). Fruit yields given by CD, PM and GM amended CH and M and GM amended SG were similar. Among eight treatments compared, CH and SG amended with PM gave height fruit yield, compared with control, NPKF, amended SG and CH increased fruit yield by 268, 342 and 397%, respectively. © 2007 Academic Journals.