Enhancing tomato productivity using compost, plant, and poultry litter teas in the Sudan Savanna Ecology of Nigeria

Abstract

The global demand for safe, healthful food is accelerating the shift toward organic farming systems that enhance crop productivity while protecting the environment and mitigating climate change. To support this transition, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of plant, compost, and poultry litter teas on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) during the 2017/2018 dry season in the Sudan Savanna agroecological zone of Nigeria. The experiment was replicated three times and laid out in a randomized complete block design, with three manure teas applied at 100, 200, and 300 ml m⁻², alongside inorganic fertilizer and a no-fertilizer control. The application of inorganic fertilizer consistently produced the highest values across all parameters, including plant height (51.1 cm), leaf area (65.0 cm²), chlorophyll content (SPAD 94.5), and total yield (21,291 kg ha⁻¹). Among organic amendments, the application of 300 ml m⁻² compost tea was the most effective, significantly enhancing key traits such as plant height (58.2 cm), leaf area (58.2 cm²), chlorophyll content (SPAD 84.4), fruit yield (16,001 kg ha⁻¹), and earliness to flowering (28 days). It also improved physiological metrics, fruit size, and Brix content (3.7-3.8%). Plant tea followed closely, while poultry litter tea had moderate effects compared to the no-fertilizer (control) that consistently gave the least performance across all parameters. These results affirm compost tea’s potential as a sustainable, nutrient-efficient alternative to inorganic fertilizer for enhancing dry-season tomato production in semi-arid regions.

Keywords: Organic nutrient solution, Compost tea, Tomato productivity, Nutrient management, Dry-season agriculture