Effect of Agroindustrial Wastes on Nutrients Status and Performances of Tomato

Agroindustrial wastes such as spent grain, cocoa husk, rice bran and sawdust, unamended and amended with cattle, poultry and goat droppings were studied as to their effect on growth, fruit yield and nutrient composition of tomato (Lycopersicum escutentum Mill) in two experiments. Analysis of the wastes showed varying nutrient composition with C:N values of 11.1, 12.5, 23.3 and 18.2 respectively. Cocoa husk had highest P and K, while spent grain had highest N. The wastes applied at 5 t ha increased leaf N, P, K and Ca 1 content of tomato. Cocoa husk, spent grain and rice bran increased growth and fruit yield significantly (P>0.05). The increases in fruit yield were 177, 149 and 60% respectively. Amendment of spent grain and cocoa husk at 2.5 t ha with animal droppings at 2.5 t ha increased effectiveness of the wastes in improving tomato yield. 1 1 The amended forms increased plant height, dry matter and fruit yield compared with NPK fertilizer.