Effect of Different Fertilizers on Growth Performance and Yield of Lanka Sour Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
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Date
2021
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Tomato cultivation in Sri Lanka is an intensive and highly commercialized system. The continuous
application of inorganic fertilizers leads to a decline of soil characteristics, accumulation of heavy
metals in plant tissue, and harm to human health. Application of organic fertilizers a noble and eco-
friendly practice to maintain sustainable soil fertility. Currently, there is an emerging trend towards
the consumption of organically produced fruits and vegetables. The present study was performed to
study the effect of different fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of Lanka Sour tomato, a
traditional tomato variety, which has been poorly studied in Sri Lanka. Tomato was cultivated inside
a protected house at Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka. The experiment was laid out in a
Completely Randomized Design with five treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of
control (No fertilizer) (To), inorganic fertilizers (Urea, TSP, and MOP according to Department of
Agriculture recommendations) (T1), compost (T2), poultry manure (T3), and cow dung (T4). Topsoil
and sand (1:1) were used as the potting mixture. The pH, electrical conductivity, available nitrogen
(N), phosphorus (P), and exchangeable potassium (K) were analyzed in the potting media. The
compost consisted of cattle manure, green manure, coir dust, dolomite, hay, and gliricidia. The
highest nutrient composition (N-3.3%, P-4%, and K-3.1%) was recorded in compost. Under growth
parameters, plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, chlorophyll content of
leaves, root dry weight, and root length were measured. The number of flowers per plant, number of
fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit pH, and total soluble solid of fruits were taken as yield parameters.
Significantly (p<0.05) highest growth performances {plant height (81.10±3.83cm), number of
leaves/plant (841.4±81.0), stem girth (3.86±0.15cm), and root weight (28.04±10.12g)} were observed
in compost treated plants. Moreover, the application of compost significantly (p<0.05) increased the
number of flowers/plant (27.8±6.6) and fruit yield/plant (731.8±55.6g) in tomatoes. Results of the
study indicated that Lanka sour tomato well responds to organic fertilizers, and compost application
had promising effects on both growth and yield performances. Therefore, the present study suggested
that there is a high potential to cultivate Lanka sour tomato under organic fertilizers.
Keywords: Compost; Fertilizers; Growth; Organic; Tomato; Yield
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Keywords
Agriculture, Crop Production, Vegetable Cultivation, Fertilizers