ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this research work is to investigate the effect of coconut water, poultry manure, corn extract and NPK on the fruit weight, fruit width, seed weight, fruit length and leaf area of lycopersicum esculentum. The use of some material like polythene bag, soil, head pan, sensitive weighing scale, measuring scale were used to enhance effective research work. Proper investigation was done two weeks after transplanting. Records were taken immediately. Results were analyzed and were properly discussed. Recommendation was given to meet the demand of the people and reduce the rate of tomato import- both processed and unprocessed.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.2 Background of study
1.3 How to grow tomato
1.4 Importance of tomato
1.3 Statement of problem
1.4 Objective
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Scope/limitation of the study
1.7 Delimitation
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Literature review
2.1 The effect of npk on the growth rate of tomatoes
2.2 The effect of poultry manure on the growth rate of tomatoes
2.3 The effect of coconut water on the growth rate of tomatoes
2.4 The effect of corn extract on the growth rate of tomatoes
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 Research design
3.2 Material
3.4 Methods
3.5 Transplanting
3.6 Treatment application
3.7 Weeding
3.8 Investigation
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Findings and analysis
4.1 Table 1
4.2 Table 2
4.3 Table 3
4.4 Discussion
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, conclusion and recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Findings
5.3 Conclusions
5.4 Recommendation
References
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Tomatoes are the most populated vegetables in any home or farm garden. Tomatoes are available in a wide variety of colours, size and shapes and even taste. While most tomatoes are red, there are also yellow, orange and pink varieties. Sizes vary from the bite size cherry tomatoes to the giant beef steak varieties. Tomatoes may be round obligate (fruit are flattened at the top and bottom) or pear shaped.
Tomatoes (lycopersicum esculantum) are one of the most widely grown vegetables in the world. It is an import food component consumed in Nigeria and this is apparent in the fact that most Nigerian dishes have tomatoes as a component ingredient. Since the attainment of political independence, successive government have initiated various programs aimed at accelerating food production and improving the welfare of the rural farmers in Nigeria but most of these effort have not been successfully realized their objectives.
Tomatoes are widely known for their outstanding antioxidant content including ofcourse their oftentimes_ rich concentration of lycopene. Researchers have recently found an important connection between lycopene _ its antioxidant properties and bone health, that why more of this crop should be available. The use of n.p.k, poultry manure, coconut water and corn extraction the growth rate of lycopersicum esculentum (tomatoes) is seen as a means of improving tomatoes production. So, with minimum investment of time and money, raising tomatoes in ones backyard makes a lot of economic sense. Tomatoes can be cultivated anywhere in Nigeria; this is because of the tropical condition that is favourable to the survival of tomatoes.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
According to Samuel 2001, the per capital consumption of tomatoes in Nigeria is 0.002 metric tons with the nation’s estimated 160 million population, this translate to 1.92 million metric tonne per annum. It’s based on the assumption that an average family consumes 5kg tomatoes per month with the 1.92 million metric tonne of fresh tomatoes produced in the country and 72000 metric tonne of processed tomatoes imported. Samuel said that the current rate of consumption in the country stands at 2.3 million metric tons per annum. Criticizing the current import of 72000 metric tons of processed tomatoes to augement local production as damaging. Samuel also said the nation losses 11.5 billion naira to the importing practices every year. Local farmers have been found to be using a few methods in improving tomatoes production, some which include poultry manure and few N.P.K
Amom 2009 also estimated the nations yield to be average of 114 tons per hectares compared to U.S.A and china where yield is as high as 175 and 178 respectively. This study is now carried out to investigate how other methods can improve the production rate of tomatoes resulting in high income.
1.2 HOW TO GROW TOMATOES
Tomatoes are very easy to grow from seed. Alternatively tomatoes plant can be bought from late spring from garden center and are a good option when it comes to maintenances the right condition for germination and growing. Tomatoes are generally cultivated by transplanting seedlings on the vegetable beds to ridges and furrows.
First dry seeds of tomatoes were gathered and vegetables beds were prepared neatly to nurse the seeds to seedlings. Pre_ wetting of the seedlings were done before sprinkling the seeds on the prepared bed then continuous wetting in the morning or late evening was done. Seeds germinate in about one week when the soil temperature was 75oF to 80oF , the germination process can also take two weeks. Once the seedlings emerge, the temperature was kept not higher than 70of and watered regularly. When the second set of leaves_ the first true leaves appear, transplanting to individual pot or deep container such as polythene, plastic or pots deeper than they were. Whatever container used it must have drainage holes in the bottom. After the transplanting the seedlings were given less water and more sunlight.
1.3 IMPORTANCE OF TOMATOES
The importance of lycopersicum esculentum lies in their ability for raising nutritional levels adding vitamins, protein and minerals to the starch based diet of the people. Since it contain 22 calories, 0 gram of fat, 5 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of dietary fibers, 1 gram of proteins and 6 milligrams of sodium ⟨Na⟩. It also provide 40% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin c, 20% of the RDA of vitamin A, 2% of the RDA of iron and 1% of calcium. The following are the benefit of tomatoes,
· Numerous studies have concluded that the more tomatoes people eat the lower their risk of certain cancers especially lungs, stomach, and prostrate cancers.
· It prevents DNA damage and also help to ward off age related diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes.
· Tomatoes contain important nutrients such as niacin, foliate, and vitamin B6 that is associated with the reduction of heart disease risk.
· Tomatoes also protect against thrombosis.
· Tomatoes ward off inflammation of tissues and organs.
· Tomatoes are important for generating income for all agent involved in its production and marketing.
1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Tomatoes production is beset with many problems e.g. disease, Nematodes, insects, pests, and high flower drops etc result in low yield and poor food quality. The following are the problems encountered during production and marketing of tomatoes;
Dry soil can cause blossom to dry up and drop this is cause as a result of dry temperature above 90⁰ with low humidity causing drought. Also cold soil at planting time, can stunt growth and delay or eliminate flower while insufficient sunlight can lead to wilting. Compacted soil and overly wet soil inhibit the root system which restricts fruit ripening. Too much fertilizer produces leafy growth at the expense of flowering and fruiting.
Storage and processing of crops produce appear to be a problem for highly perishable goods such as tomatoes. Watering of plants is essential but a challenge for most developing countries such as Nigeria. Farmers are also not usually educated enough. Weed is also a challenge in carrying out research on a farm land.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work will help to yield high tomatoes ( lycopersicum esculentum) for both commercial and domestic use in our community and our country at large. It will also help gardeners to have a wide range of understanding about the necessity for proper growth of tomatoes in order to have a proper harvest to meet the demand of the people for different purpose in terms of health and consumption
1.5. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The overall objectives of this research is to assess the effects of n. p. k , poultry manure, coconut water and corn extraction the growth rate of tomatoes
The specific objectives of this research are to investigate the effect of coconut water, corn extract, n. p. k and poultry manure on;
· Cumulative fruit weight
· Total leaf area
· Cumulative fruit length
· Cumulative fruit width
· Cumulative seed weight
To also assess the effect of coconut water+ poultry manure, n. p. k+ poultry manure, n. p. k + coconut water, corn extract + poultry manure, coconut water+ corn extract, n. p. k +corn extract on;
Cumulative fruit weight
Total leaf area
Cumulative fruit length
Cumulative fruit width
Cumulative seed weight
1.6 SCOPE/ LIMITATION
This study is limited to the effect of n. p. k, poultry manure, coconut water and corn extract on the leaf area, cumulative seed weight, cumulative fruit length, cumulative fruit weight and cumulative fruit width of lycopersicum esculentum.
1.7 DELIMITATION
This study also include the leaf height, water density, chlorophyll content, stem girth and soil acidity which were not really looked into because there was limited time available to carry them out. Insecurity is also one the delimitation of this study which is the specimen to work with was tampered with. There was unavailable water supply which serves as a constraint in carrying out this research.