Poultry Litter Compost: An Effective Organic Fertilizer for Enhancing Growth and Fruit Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to improve tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in Ngaoundere-Cameroon, while ensuring agroecology practices. Field experimentations were carried out during the year 2023. A split-plot experimental design, repeated 03 times was used. The first factor was fertilization, with 05 treatments (negative control: seedlings receiving no fertilizer, positive control: synthetic chemical fertilizer 20-10-10 + Urea 46%, compost derived poultry litter, compost tea derived poultry litter, and mycorrhizal inoculum); the second factor was variety, with 02 tomato varieties (Rio Grande Griffaton, and Roma Savana). The tomato growth parameters and fruit yield were evaluated. Produced compost increased the fruit yield of the Rio Grande Griffaton variety by 364.66% and 26.88% compared to the negative control and chemical fertilizer, respectively.  Compost increased the fruit yield of the Roma Savana variety by 444.99% and 16.36% compared to the negative control and chemical fertilizer, respectively. The Rio Grande Griffaton variety produced 1.31-fold more fruits than Roma Savana. The supply of 1 Kg of compost derived poultry litter per hole at sowing time was found to be very promising in improving the tomato fruit yield and therefore, can be used as an alternative to replacing the mineral fertilizers usually employed for the cultivation of this fruit vegetable.