Effect of Wood Ash on Soil Chemical Properties, Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
J.R.C. NGOULOU
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo and Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Denis SASSOU-N'GUESSO, Kintélé, Republic of Congo.
K.M. MBEMBA *
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
M.B. MABIALA LOUBILOU
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
J.G. OKENI
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
G.R. DIELE MOUKO
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
A.C. LITEBE
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
V.J. NGOMA TSATY
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo and National Polytechnic Institute of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d'Ivoire.
P.A.C. KAYA-KAYA
Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Marien N’GOUABI Uni, Plant and Life Chemistry, B.P. 69, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In Central Africa and particularly in the Republic of Congo, the chemical poverty of soils considerably affects the growth of food and vegetable crops such as tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), which nevertheless represents a source of income for producers. This study focused on the evaluation of the effect of wood ash on the chemical properties of the soil, growth and yield of Lycopersicon esculentum. The completely randomized Ficher experimental design with 5 treatments and 4 repetitions was used. The treatments consisted of wood ash inputs at 0; 12.5; 25; 50 and 100g/kg of soil. Observations and measurements focused on physicochemical parameters of the growing media and the number of leaves per plant, plant size, stem diameter, the number of fruits per plant, the weight of 10 fruits and yield. Results showed an improvement in the chemical properties of the soil. Wood ash additions significantly increased stem diameter, number of fruits per plant, weight of 10 fruits, and yield compared to the control. The best results on growth parameters and yield were obtained with wood ash addition at 12.5 g/kg. Wood ash addition is recommended for market gardeners in the Brazzaville City.
Keywords: Key words, wood ash, soil amendment, tomato, agriculture