Abstract:
Improvement of the soils physico-chemical and microbiological properties using organic fertilizers in tomato production in the Sudanese-Sahelian zone
Tomato production is facing many constraints that limit its yield. The major one of concern to farmers is soil fertility decline. This study was than conducted using two bio-fertilizers based on local substrates (Bokashi compost and compost enriched with Trichoderma harzianum ) to evaluate their efficiency on soil physico-chemical and microbiological properties and on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) production in Sudanese Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized Fisher block design with 6 treatments in 3 replications. The applied treatments were : T0 : control; T1 : Compost enriched with Trichoderma harzianum + 175 kg ha-1 NPK + 50 kg ha-1 urea ; T2 : Compost enriched with Trichoderma harzianum; T3 : 350 kg ha-1 NPK + 100 kg ha-1 urea; T4: Bokashi + 175 kg ha-1 NPK + 50 kg ha-1 urea ; T5 : Bokashi compost. Results showed that T2 and T5 led to a significant yield increase up to 170 % and 76 % respectively, compared to the control treatment. Moreover, the bio-fertilizers alone contributed to maintain neutral soil pH and significantly improved its C, N, P and K contents. Therefore, soil fertility was enhanced. Results also indicated that compost enriched with Trichoderma harzianum influenced better tomato yield than that of Bokashi which was only efficient when combined with mineral fertilizer. This combination of the two fertilizers resulted in yield increase of 274.5 % compared to T0. Using the two composts in agriculture could be an alternative for sustainable production of tomato. Their extension at the rate of 0.5 t/ha could be recommended for a better yield.
