Effects of terralyt plus and fertilizer on growth, nutrients uptake and dry matter yields of two vegetable crops

Abstract

The effectiveness of Terralyt plus was compared with conventional fertilizer on the growth and dry matter yields of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and tomato (Lycopercion esculentus) in a greenhouse study at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Ibadan. The treatments consisted of equivalent of 100 kg N ha^-1 of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer, 5 tonnes poultry manure and 40 ml m^-2 of Terralyt plus were applied as full rates and the complementary use of these with Terralyt in two ratios (1 : 1 and ½ : ½ ). The experimental design was randomized complete block. The results showed that tomato and okra gave positive response to terralyt plus. Both Terralyt and fertilizers significantly increased the nutrient (N. P. K. Ca. and Mg) uptake of both crops over the control. In terms of dry matter yields, yield increase ranged from 19125% in tomato and 13 to 151% in okra over the control. The use of Terralyt alone on tomato was superior control but inferior to other treatments. Whereas, on okra it was almost equally effective as applying full rate of inorganic fertilizer, but inferior to full rate of poultry manure. Therefore, for good crop performance terralyt plus can be used to supplement organic and inorganic fertilizer to enhance soil fertility for crop production.

Keywords: fertilizer application, NPK fertilizer, poultry manure, vegetable crops terralyt plus

Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 5(2) 2004: 102-107