Effects of plant based fermented organic fertilizers, compost and poultry manure on tomato plant performance and root knot nematode management
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Date
2023
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops produced
by small holder farmers in Tanzania. Tomato production under agroecological farming
methods employs the use of natural fertilizers, biological pest control and other related
approaches that ensures crop production while considering environmental and consumer
health safety. Farmers practising these methods in Uponda village, Morogoro reported
poor plant performance, presence of root galls and low yield in tomato in a participatory
research workshop organised by Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), held at Sokoine
University of Agriculture (SUA) in December 2019. The problems reported, were
associated to poor soil fertility status and root knot nematode infestation. Sustainable
Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), among many other related activities, is also researching on
organic methods of improving soil fertility in order to assist farmers to attain maximum
productivity in sustainable manner. Root Knot Nematode (RKN), have been reported to
cause significant yield reduction in tomato and is considered as of high economic
importance. The use soil organic amendments in improving soil fertility and controlling root
knot nematodes have been well documented. However, limited mineral composition, slow-
release rate, high application rates, contamination with undesirable substances, and lack
of nutritional consistence have been ongoing challenges on the use of organic fertilizers.
This study aimed at evaluating the effects of plant based fermented organic fertilizers
(PFOFs) developed following SAT procedures with minor improvements, on tomato
growth, yield, fruit size as well as controlling root knot nematode. The improved PFOFs
were tithozam (a mixture of fermented moringa, wild sunflower, and comfrey leaves) and
z-mix (fermented banana peels, banana male buds and tithozam mixed in equal
proportions). The exact preparation process is briefly explained in the methodology part of
this work. Experiments in screen house and in open field were established at Sokoine
University of Agriculture and World Vegetable Centre, Arusha for the evaluation. Same
study was also established as an on-farm experiment at uponda village where the problem
was reported, but due to either RKN severity or environmental condition and poor
management total crop failure was observed. Treatments were poultry manure, compost
manure, z-mix, tithozam and control. Test crop was tomato, variety Tanya with a yield
potential of 48-64t/ha. Data were tested for normality using Kolmogorov-smirnov and
Shapiro-wilk test, and made approximately normal following data cleaning and
transformation (square root and arcsine) prior to data analysis. Analysis of variance
(ANOVA) done by GenStat statistical package V.16 (VSN International, UK). Least
Significant Difference was used as mean separation test both at p = 5%. Treatments
resulted into different levels of effectiveness in improving crop performance and controlling
root knot nematodes. Application of fermented organic fertilizers significantly increased
tomato plant height (p=0.003), number of leaves (p=0.004), number of flowers (p=0.003),
number of fruits and overall tomato yield (p=0.004) as compared to control.
These fertilizers also significantly (p<0.001) reduced nematode population, reproduction
index, and number of galls in tomato roots. Results obtained showed that, PFOFs had
similar effects in improving plant growth, fruit size and yield compared to poultry and
compost manure. There was a significant difference among tested organic fertilizers on
their control in root knot nematodes in tomato. Nematode galling index differed significantly
(p<.001), among tested treatments. A fermented mixture of Tithonia diversifolia,
Symphytum officinale and Moringa oleifera mixture, was found to be more effective in
controlling nematode. However, further research on its mode of action and optimum
application rate is recommended. These findings indicate that, the PFOF formulated by
SAT can be of alternative use in areas where the compost, poultry and other organic
fertilizers are not available.
Description
Masters Dissertation
Keywords
organic, fertilizers, poultry, manure, tomato