Effect of
poultry manure on selected soil physical and chemical
properties, growth, yield and nutrient status of tomato
Ewulo, B. S.1*,
Ojeniyi.S. O.1 and Akanni, D. A.2
1Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management,
School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal
University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Ondo State,
Nigeria.
2Department of Agronomy, Federal College of
Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E–mail:
bsewulo@yahoo.co.uk.
Accepted 27 August, 2008
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In order to
study the effect of poultry manure additions on nutrient
availability, soil physical and chemical properties and
yield of tomato, five levels of the manure, namely 0, 10,
25, 40 and 50 t ha-1 were applied at Akure,
Southwest Nigeria. The soil at the two experimental sites
were slightly acidic, low in organic matter, N, P, and Ca.
Poultry manure increased soil organic matter, N and P. Soil
bulk density were reduced and moisture content increased
with levels of manure. Manure applications increased leaf N,
P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations of tomato, plant height,
number of branches, root length, number and weight of
fruits. The 25 t ha-1 poultry manure gave highest
leaf P, K, Ca and Mg and yield relative to control. The 10,
25, 40 and 50 t ha-1 manure levels increased
average fruit weight by 58, 102, 37 and 31% respectively.
Key
words:
Poultry manure, nutrient availability, soil physical
properties, soil chemical properties, tomato yield. |
