Evaluation of Different Manures Application on Fruit Quality of Tomato in the Derived Savannah Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Tomato contributes to a healthy and well balanced diet. They are rich in minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, sugars and dietary fiber [1] tomato has an appreciable protein as well as vitamins A, C and D content [2]. Tomato fruits are consumed fresh in salads or cooked in sauces, soup and meat or fish dishes. They can be processed into purees, juice and ketchup. Canned and dried tomatoes are economically important processed products of tomato. Tomato has become an important cash and industrial crop in various parts of the world. One of the reasons for this increase is that tomato cultivation is now being moved to places and seasons that are originally unsuitable for its productivity thereby resulting in an increase in the production of the crop [3]. Tomato gives a high yield and it is economically attractive. The average ripe fruit has been reported to contain about 1.0g of crude protein, 90 kilocalories of energy, 24mg of phosphorus, 0.4g of iron, 1000 Iu of Vitamin A, 25mg of vitamin C, 0.04mg of Riboflavin, 0.05mg of thiamin and 0.1mg of niacin [1]. It is also rich in essential amino acid, sugar and dietary fiber [4]. Tomato is consumed in diverse ways including raw in salads or cooked in sauces, soup, meat or fish dishes. It can be processed into purees, juices, ketchup, and drinks or sliced and sundry. The fruit is rich in Lycopene which may have benefial health effects [5]. Tomato requires nutrient such as N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na and S for good production. These nutrients are specific in function and must be supplied to plant at the right time and in the right quantity [6]. Large quantities of organic wastes such as poultry manure are available especially in urban centers and are effective sources of nutrient for vegetables such as tomato [7]. Other organic manures which include compost manure (domestic degradable waste), farmyard manure (animal dungs) which are also available in very large quantities should be considered as a cheap alternative source of fertilizer. Their conversion into manure will help to reduce the pollution danger associated with their disposal and in turn will help to improve the soil nutrient. The need to produce tomato fruits with high nutrient value, healthier and long shelf life is imperative. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the nutrient value and shelf life of tomato fruit based under different manures