EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON DISEASE SUPPRESSION AND SOIL PROPERTIES USING TOMATO AS A TEST CROP

OLANIYAN,, FARIDAT TEMILOMO (2022) EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON DISEASE SUPPRESSION AND SOIL PROPERTIES USING TOMATO AS A TEST CROP. Masters thesis, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State.

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Abstract

Two field trials (site A and site B) were conducted to evaluate the potential of three organic amendments and inorganic fertilizer on disease suppression, response of soil microorganisms, physical and chemical properties of soil as well as growth and yield of tomato. The experiments were laid out in randomize complete block design (RCBD). The treatments applied were compost (3.4t/ha), poultry manure (4.2t/ha), Tithonia diversifolia (4.8t/ha), NPK (15:15:15) (0.8t/ha) at 120kg N/ ha and the control. Treatments were replicated three times at the two sites. Tomato seeds were raised in the nursery and each seedling was transplanted to the field after 3weeks with a spacing of 50 × 50 cm at the two sites. Soil physical, chemical and biological analyses were carried out using standard laboratory methods. Data collected were subjected to analysis of a variance using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple range test at 5% level of probability. The results showed that disease incidence and severity in site B were significantly lower than site A. The plant height, number of leaflets, leaf area and yield in site B were significantly higher than site A. Compost and poultry manure reduced the disease incidence of tomato significantly than other amendments. Compost had the least disease severity followed by poultry manure, Tithonia diversifolia and NPK. Compost improved both the total number and diversity of fungi than other amendments while diversity of bacteria was increased more by poultry manure and Tithonia diversifolia than the other amendments studied. Compost significantly increased the growth and yield of tomato than other treatments as well as control. Compost significantly increased soil organic carbon, potassium and phosphorus contents than other treatments while Tithonia diversifolia significantly increased magnesium content in soil than other treatments. All the treatments significantly increased the moisture content of soil than un-amended soil. Base on the results of this study, application of poultry manure and compost are recommended for reduction of disease incidence of tomato while for the reduction of disease severity in tomato, compost, poultry manure and Tithonia diversifolia are recommended. Compost is recommended for improvement of soil moisture and chemical properties. Compost, poultry manure and Tithonia diversifolia are recommended for the improvement of soil microbial properties. Keywords: Tomato, disease suppression, physical and chemical properties, microbial properties, treatments

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