Potential of vermiculite as a soil amendment material in improving productivity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)
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Date
2009
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A pot experiment and laboratory analysis were conducted at Sokoine University of
Agriculture (SUA) from October to February 2008, to assess the effectiveness of
vermiculite as a soil amendment materia! for enhancing tomato growth and yield. A 3 x
4 factorial experiment using a split plot arrangement was conducted using sandy, clayey
and loamy soils as factor A and four vermiculite levels; 0%, 10%, 20%, and 40% in
volume basis were factor B. Growth and yield components of tomatoes were assessed
and analyzed to identify their response to vermiculite. Water holding capacity and bulk
density of soils mixed with vermiculite was determined using a pF moisture
characteristic curve, whereby a 40% vermiculite level retained the highest moisture
followed by 20%, 10% and the least was soil without vermiculite. A 40% vermiculite
level increased moisture retention by 113%, in sandy soil, 40.7% in loamy soil and 6%
in clay soil. Bulk densities were decreasing as the vermiculite level increased which
indicated the increase in aeration and drainage in clay soil. Results of pot experiment
indicated that the number of tomatoes was remarkably increased by the application of
vermiculite especially in sandy soils. Application of 40% vermiculite level on sandy soil
increased total dry matter at 28 DAP by 80% while the increase in clay was 40% and
55.4% in loamy soil. The weight and number of tomato harvested in sandy soil with 20%
vermiculite level was the highest. Potassium content in tomato plant grown in sandy with
40% vermiculite was 1.62% below the critical value which is 2.50%. This was caused by
vermiculite fixation which was increasing as the vermiculite increased and this resulted
into low K+ supply thus lowering tomato yield. It was concluded that 20% vermiculite
level was the best rate to be applied on sandy soils in order to increase growth and yield
of tomatoes while 40% vermiculite is the appropriate level for loamy and clayey soils.
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Keywords
Potential vermiculite, soil amendment material, tomato productivity, Lycopersicon esculentum L