The Efficacy of Cover Crop Compost and Cow Dung Manure on the Growth of Tomato in Tropical Rain Forest of Liberia

Abstract

A study “Investigating the Growth of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) Using Cover Crop Compost and Cow Dung manure” was conducted at the Agriculture Department, CEPRES International University, Gbarnga City, Bong County, Liberia. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of organic fertilizers on the growth of Tomato. The research design adopted was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), three replications of treatments. A plot measured 1.5 m x 1.5 m with a walk-way of 0.5 m. There were Three blocks consisting of three plots in each block. A total of 9 plots were used. The spacing was 50 cm x 50 cm. The four treatment levels were: T1 = 4,000 kg/ha (Cow Dung manure), T2 = 4,000 kg/ha (Cover-crop Compost) and T3 = 0 kg/ha (Control). The data were collected in a 30 days interval from the date of sowing using micrometer and measuring tape rule. The results revealed that the highest plant height mean was recorded for the compost treated plots as 73.61 cm. The results for leaf length showed that the longest leaf mean was calculated for the compost treated plots as 36.24. The leaf width analysis depicts that the widest leaf mean was computed for the cow dung treated plots as 46.91 cm. The number of leaf analysis indicated that the most plenty leaf mean was analyzed for the compost treated plots as 34.33 while the least number of leaf mean was analyzed for the control plots as 21.33. Another analysis conducted on the stem diameter showed that the biggest stem diameter mean was analyzed for the compost treated plots as 1.28 cm while the smallest stem diameter mean was analyzed for the control plots as 0.92 cm. The recommendations reached are cover compost be used for tomato production and similar study be conducted on different crops.