Combined organic fertilizer application improved growth and yield of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Cebu Technological University-Barili Campus compound from April-June. The study determine the effect of combined organic fertilizer application on the growth and yield of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as to height, days to flowering, number of flowers, days to first harvest, fruit per plant, and fruit weight. The study was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the combined bat guano and fermented seaweed fertilizer produced the tallest plants at, 55.06±3.81SE cm. The earliest plants to produce flower were those treated with combined bat guano and fermented plant juice at 28.17±0.27SE days after transplanting. Also, combined bat guano and fermented plant juice significantly produced 11.33 ±0.57SE more flower per plant gathered after 45 days from transplanting. Moreover, these plants had the highest number of fruits 9.39 ±0.51SE at first harvest. Furthermore, yield parameters of cherry tomato plants treated with combined bat guano and fermented seaweed is doubled 509±0.20SE g total yield compared to the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (229±0.68). Based on the study's findings, the combined bat guano and fermented seaweed seem to promote growth at 55.06±3.81SE cm tall compared to the recommended rate fertilizer 39.61±3.6 SE cm. Furthermore, the combined bat guano and fermented seaweed improved the yield of cherry tomato at 509±0.20SEg two times heavier compared to the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer 229±0.68SE g. Thus, 500kg/ha of bat guano and 500L/ha of fermented seaweed is recommended for growers of cherry tomatoes.