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The copyright of a submitted article is only transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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Using Cajanus Cajan in Biomass Transfer Technology to Increase Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.)
Abstract
The experiment was conducted at the Tono Irrigation Project site in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The objective was to investigate the effect of Cajanus cajan mulch and fertilizer application on the growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum). The split plot design, with treatments randomised within each block was used. Fertilizer was applied at three levels (0 kg N/ha, 75 kg N/ha and 150 kg N/ha) as main plot treatments and Cajanus cajan mulch at two levels (0 tons/ha and 15 tons/ha) as sub plot treatments. Mulch, fertilizer and mulch/fertilizer interaction had a significant effect on the growth (height and leaf area) of tomato. Tomato growth was highest at the highest rate of mulch and fertilizer interaction (15 tons/ha and 150 kg N/ha). Highest yield (9.35 tons/ha) was obtained at the highest rate of mulch/fertilizer interaction (15 tons/ha and 150 kg N/ha) and lowest yield (2.8 tons/ha) at control (No mulch and No fertilizer). However, fruit size was highest at half rate of fertilizer and mulch interaction (75 kg N/ha and 15 tons/ha). This accounted for the increase in marketable yield for the treatment. Half rate of fertilizer and mulch (75 kg N/ha and 15 tons/ha) gave the highest profit. Therefore, the use of Cajanus cajan mulch would reduce the dependence on inorganic fertilizers and ensure a sustained improvement in tomato yield.
