Effects of EcoTea Organic Fertilizer and Poultry Manure on Soil Health, Yield and Yield Components of Tomato

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of EcoTea organic fertilizer and poultry manure on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yield and soil health. The treatments were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. Treatments PM + FW, C + FW and PM + AW in that order had significant effect on the fruit diameter at 8 WAT while OF + FW and OF + AW recorded an increase in fruit diameter at 11 WAT. Same trend was established in other yield components. The highest fruit yield at 8 WAT was recorded in treatments PM + AW and C + FW respectively while the lowest yield was recorded in OF + FW and OF + AW respectively. At 11 WAT, highest fruit yield was recorded in treatments PM + FW and OF + AW. Although the yield gotten from OF + FW here was not as much as the one from C + FW at 11 WAT; it was not the lowest yield (PM + AW). This is an indication that there was consistency in the yield of tomato under OF treatment; a further indication that EcoTea organic fertilizer’s effect on tomato development is positive and reliable. Overall, Organic fertilizer produced a consistent and reliable impact on the soil health, fruit yield and yield components of tomato especially from 8 WAT to 11 WAT; therefore, it is recommended and safe to use for tomato production under similar conditions as used in this study. The application of fertilizers significantly improved the soil chemical properties. Similar research should be carried out for three or more harvest cycles on the same piece of land to ascertain if the impact of EcoTea organic fertilizer will be sustained with same one-time application.