Effect of composted materials on soil properties, nutritional status and yield of tomatoes

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of composted materials on the growth, yield and nutritional status of tomato plants grown on an alluvial soil. Therefore, 2.5 Kg/m² and 5 Kg/m² of aerobic and anaerobic composted chicken feather materials and 5 Kg/m² of some vegetable residues were applied to soil and compared their effects with 5 Kg/m² of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and mineral fertilizers on some soil characteristics and tomato growth. Obtained data revealed that there were in significant differences between application of some level of composted materials and FYM on soil pH, EC and availability of Fe, Mn and Zn in the studied soil. Application 2.5 Kg/m² from aerated composted chicken feather increased the vegetative growth of 80-day old in comparison with application of composted vegetable residues or FYM. After 120 days of the growth period, the dry matter yield of vegetative parts was increased in comparison with the root Under the application of different levels and sources of composted materials, N and K were high in the vegetative growth while Ca and Mg were high in the root. Concerning the number and weight of fruits/plant, application of composted materials to tomato plants an increased quantity rather than quality of tomato yield in comparison with FYM or inorganic mineral fertilizers.