Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Approach on Soil Chemical and Physical Properties and Performance of Tomato (Lycopersicon Lycopersicum) Under Mildly-Acidic Alfisol Conditions

Collection and conversion of freely available wild-plant residues into composted materials for vegetable crop production (either as a substitute or supplement to the highly-priced chemical / synthetic fertilizers), may be beneficial to sustainable tropical crop production and improvement of soil conditions. Field studies were conducted in the year 2009, at the Teaching and Research Farms, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, to assess the response of tomato to Tithonia-compost with or without N-mineral fertilizer, and the effects of such integration on some soil properties. It was a factorial combination of three rates of compost application (0.0, 2.5 & 5.0 tons ha-1) and three rates of inorganic nitrogen application (0.0, 30.0 and 60.0 kg N ha-1). Data collected on growth and yield parameters were analyzed using ANOVA at p < 0.05. Compost application significantly improved soil properties, under sole and combined applications. Growth and yield parameters significantly increased with increased levels of sole and combined applications of compost and N-mineral fertilizer. Tomato responded best to integration of 30 kg N ha-1 of urea and 2.5 tons ha-1 of Tithonia-compost as reflected in best growth rate and fruit yield. The rate was found to be equally adequate for improved soil physical and chemical properties. Integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer is therefore essential for efficient soil management and crop production.