INTEGRATIVE EVALUATION OF POWDERED CHARCOAL, AFRICAN NUTMEG, AND CHERRY LAUREL AS SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CAMEROON TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
Cameroon Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), yields in southern Nigeria are retreating in the face of erosion and overuses of synthetic fertilisers. Sustainable practices are the way out. In this study, we assess the impacts on growth, yield, and biochemical characteristics in Delta State of the effects of African nutmeg (Monodoramyristica), cherry laurel (Prunuslaurocerasus), and the two in mixture. We employed a randomised block design with four treatments (one control). Morphological (height, girth, leaves), reproductive (floral and fruit), and biochemical (chlorophyll, lycopene, carotenoid) characteristics were measured. The results indicated the mixture significantly amplified plant attributes and yielded significantly more compared with solitary treatments and the control. The mixture outperformed single treatments in growth, yield, and chlorophyll. Cherry laurel outstripped others in floral and fruit production and lycopene and carotenoids content, whereas African nutmeg in solo contributed negligibly towards yield. Microbial analysis substantiated the treatment advantage by elevating populations in Pseudomonas stutzeri, Aspergillus niger, and Penicilliumortum, which are crucial in nutrient turnover. The findings conclude locally stabilised organic manures may increase sustainable tomato production when in mixture with a reduction in chemicals and the wise improvement in the ground condition. Optimization in dosages should account for growth cycles and agro-ecological conditions.
Keywords: Cameroon tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, African nutmeg, cherry laurel, organic manure, sustainable agriculture, biofertilizer, lycopene, soil fertility, growth enhancement, Delta State, microbial activity
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