ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF VERMILIQUID RATE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATOES (solanum lycoperscum)IN MUKONO DISTRICT
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Date
2025-04-16
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Uganda christian University
Abstract
Vermiliquid is an organic currently fertilizer being adopted to improve crop production. However, there is no information on the use of vermiliquid in tomato production. This study investigated the effect of vermi-liquid fertilizer on growth and yield of tomatoes. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with 3 replicates. Four treatments were used: 0%, 10%, 20% and 50%. The data was collected on the plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of branches number of flower clusters, and the number of flowers of tomatoes. The results showed that there was a significant difference (p<.001) in different vermiliquid concentrations on plant height, leaf number, stem girth, number of branches, and number of flowers(p<0.017). A concentration of 50% vermiliquid showed the highest height (38.07±25.43c), and 0% concentration showed the lowest height (23.08±15.48a). Leaf number increased on 50% concentration showing the highest (14.74±8.99d) and 0% concentration having the lowest(6.90±3.88a). A 50% concentration showed a bigger stem girth (0.81±0.38d) while a 0% concentration had the smallest stem girth(0.38±0.15a). Increased branching (3.42±4.21c) was observed when 50 % concentration was applied and 0% concentration had the least effect (1.40±2.15a). A concentration of 20% had the highest mean number of flowers (6.533±9.68b) and 0% had the least number of flowers(3.067±4.49a). This implies that 50% vermiliquid concentration is the optimum concentration for tomato growth and 20% vermiliquid concentration is optimum for tomato flowering Vermiliquid fertilizers are the best alternative which is sustainable and cost-effective for improved tomato production in Uganda.