Effect of planting date and poultry manure on flower abortion, yield and post-harvest quality of three tomato varieties in Ghana (f1 kaira, pectomech and pectofake)
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Date
July, 2015
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Abstract
The study aimed at evaluation of different planting dates and levels of poultry manure on
flower abortion, yield and fruit quality of three tomato varieties. A factorial experiment with
Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications was adopted for the field
experiment and Complete Block Design for the laboratory experiment. Planting was done at
three different dates with two weeks interval. Four different manure levels and three tomato
varieties were used. The addition of poultry manure had significant effect on the growth and
yield of the three tomato varieties. There were significant differences (p>0.05) between the
varieties tested and the different levels of manure. Yield increased significantly with
increase in the application of poultry manure with significant differences (p>0.05) between
the manure levels. Addition of poultry manure at 2,4,and 6tons/ha increased tomato yield by
28.04, 38.09 and 61.90% for 2, 4 respectively. Other parameters such as branching, number
of fruits per plant, girth diameter, plant height, fruit dry matter content, total soluble solids
and fruit firmness increased as the amount of poultry manure applied increased. Planting
date had significant effect on the number of fruits, flower abortion, plant height and pest and
disease infestations. The early sowing date (March 26
th
) showed higher number of branches
compared to the late sowing dates but not significantly different (p>0.05). Planting of
tomato on the 26
th
of March with 6 tons/ ha of poultry manure resulted in the highest fruit
yield/ ha. The yield of the tomato decreased with delay in planting date. The cultivars had
significant effect on growth as well as quality. This may be due to differences on growth
habit of genotypes. Pectofake, the local variety had the highest fruit weight but lowest
means for fruit pericarp thickness, firmness, and total soluble solids. Pectofake recorded the
best performance compare to F1 Kaira and Pectomech.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Research And Graduate Studies Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award Of Master of Philosophy Degree Post Harvest Technology, 2015