Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizers on the Growth of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

Abstract

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient required for plant growth, as it plays a vital role in the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids. The growth and yield of tomato are strongly influenced by soil fertility and nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen. The study aims to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilisers on the growth of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The tomato variety used was Lycopersicon esculentum var money maker. Three nitrogen-based fertilisers were used namely, N.P.K.15:15:15, N.P.K. 20:20:17 and Ammonium sulphate. Each fertilizer was applied at the rate of 20 grams per plant. The plants were grown in 15-litre plastic buckets filled with loam soil. The respective plants that received the treatments were those transplanted from the nursery at 11 days, 21 days and those that were planted directly in the buckets from seeds without transplanting. During the growth of the plants, girth and length increases were measured. Also, the leaf area numbers of flowers were counted. Furthermore, the biomass production of the plants was measured. The results showed that the plants that received the N.P.K 20:20:17 treatment were tallest; followed by those treated with N.P.K. 15:15:15. The non-transplanted plants were best favoured; followed respectively by the 11 days old and 21 days old transplanted plants. Again, the results of the fresh and dry weight followed the same pattern as above. The differences were significant in most cases. Further investigation is required to prove the actual use of high nitrogen fertiliser, either for inducement or vegetative growth or for fruit production.