Effect of Different Rate of Bat Guano on Growth and Yield of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Niamey, Niger

Abstract

Aims: A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey - Niger, from November to March 2018 to determine the effects of different rate of bat guano fertilizers on growth and yield parameters of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). Study Design: The four treatments included no manure T0 as control, T1-500 kg/ha, T2-1000 kg/ha T3-1500 kg/ha of bat guano fertilizers was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Methodology: The variables measured were plant height, number of branches, stem diameter and fruit yield obtained. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using LSD at five percent level of significance. Results: The results showed that all levels of bat guano improve the growth and yield parameters of tomato compared to the control. Growth and yield parameters of tomato plants treated with 1500 kg/ha and 500 kg/ha of bat guano were higher than the other treatments. The T3 (1500 kg/ha) and T1 (500 kg/ha) of bat guano are statistically homogenous and showed highest plant yield with 40.45 and 38.75 t/ha of tomato fruits respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the experiments it could be deduced that bat guano seems to promote higher growth yield of tomato. Thus, it should be recommended 500 kg/ha of bat guano for growers of tomato crop in the study area.