The Effect of Varying Poultry Manure Concentrations Mixed with Clay Soil on Plumule Emergence and Seedling Growth of Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)

Abstract

Introduction: Soil fertility, which denotes the soil's capacity to supply essential nutrients to plants, is a limiting factor in many agricultural regions, especially where soils are inherently poor or have become degraded due to over use or erosion. Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of varying poultry manure (P.M) concentrations mixed with clay soil (C.S) on plumule emergence and early seedling growth of Solanum lycopersicum. Study Design: Complete Randomized Design was used for this study. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria between August – November, 2025. Methodology: Present study was subjected to seven treatments viz: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100% P.M and 100% clay soil. Stage 1: One hundred and forty viable seeds of Solanum lycopersicum were divided into seven groups and sown separately in the treatments filled into plastic germination pots arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with three replicates. Emergence was observed and recorded daily for twenty days. The data obtained were expressed in percentage. Stage 2:  Two uniform seedlings of Solanum lycopersicum at three weeks old were transplanted into the germination plastic pots filled with the seven treatments used for this study and were allowed to stabilize for a week after which growth assessment commenced and were carried out for twelve weeks. Parameter assessed were plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area, number of flowers and number of fruits. Result: Results obtained revealed that plumule emergence of Solanum lycopersicum was at its peak (80%) in the 10% PM treatment and this was followed by 100% clay soil treatment with mean value of 70%. The least emergence was recorded in 30% PM with mean value of 20% while 40% PM, 50% PM and control 1 (100% PM) treatments produced no emergence. The 10% PM treatment recorded the tallest mean plant height (120.00 cm), this was followed by 20% PM treatment with mean value of 105. 20cm, but the lowest mean plant height (32.24cm) was recorded in 50% PM treatment while 100% PM produced no plant at week 12 respectively. The 20% PM treatment produced the highest number of leaves (298 leaves), thickest stem girth (18.99cm) largest leaf area (127.00 cm²) and highest number of flowers (6.00) at week twelve (12) after transplant. Moderate P.M Concentrations (10–20%) generally promoted superior vegetative growth and reproductive performance as 10% P.M treatment yielded the highest number of fruits (6.00). Whereas higher PM concentrations (≥30%) suppressed emergence and early development. Conclusion: Conclusively, mixing poultry manure with clay soil at moderate rates (10–20%) improved tomato seedling establishment while excessive PM should be avoided.