Kentucky State University
Evaluating Growth of Cherry Tomatoes at Varying Fertilization Rates in a Greenhouse
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
KY House District #
1
KY Senate District #
1
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr Theoneste Nzaramyimana
Department
College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
Abstract
Evaluating Growth of Cherry Tomatoes at Varying Fertilization Rates in a Greenhouse Afdoue, S.*, Adeyeye, A. O., Kofi, A., & Nzaramyimana, T., College of Agriculture, Health, and the Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, 40601
ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of varying rates of NPK (20:20:20) fertilization on the growth of cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a controlled greenhouse environment in Kentucky. Four fertilization treatments were applied: 0 g/L (Control), 0.66 g/L (Low), 1.32 g/L (Medium), and 1.98 g/L (High). Key growth parameters, including plant height, fruit yield, and chlorophyll content, were measured. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with three replications at Kentucky State University's Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. Results indicated statistically significant differences in plant height (p = 0.019) due to fertilization treatments, with the low treatment resulting in the most substantial height increase. Post hoc comparisons revealed a significant difference between the control and low treatments (p = 0.018), while differences between the control and both medium and high treatments were not statistically significant. Although yield differences were observed, they did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.092), with the medium treatment exhibiting the highest yield, but no significant differences in post hoc comparisons. Conversely, chlorophyll content was significantly affected by the treatments (p < 0.001), with the control group showing lower levels than the low (p = 0.026), medium (p < 0.001), and high (p < 0.001) treatments. These findings suggest that NPK fertilization significantly enhances plant height and chlorophyll content in cherry tomatoes, while its effect on yield was not statistically significant. This research contributes to understanding optimal fertilization strategies for improving growth and chlorophyll accumulation in cherry tomato cultivation
Evaluating Growth of Cherry Tomatoes at Varying Fertilization Rates in a Greenhouse
Evaluating Growth of Cherry Tomatoes at Varying Fertilization Rates in a Greenhouse Afdoue, S.*, Adeyeye, A. O., Kofi, A., & Nzaramyimana, T., College of Agriculture, Health, and the Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, 40601
ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of varying rates of NPK (20:20:20) fertilization on the growth of cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a controlled greenhouse environment in Kentucky. Four fertilization treatments were applied: 0 g/L (Control), 0.66 g/L (Low), 1.32 g/L (Medium), and 1.98 g/L (High). Key growth parameters, including plant height, fruit yield, and chlorophyll content, were measured. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design with three replications at Kentucky State University's Harold Benson Research and Demonstration Farm. Results indicated statistically significant differences in plant height (p = 0.019) due to fertilization treatments, with the low treatment resulting in the most substantial height increase. Post hoc comparisons revealed a significant difference between the control and low treatments (p = 0.018), while differences between the control and both medium and high treatments were not statistically significant. Although yield differences were observed, they did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.092), with the medium treatment exhibiting the highest yield, but no significant differences in post hoc comparisons. Conversely, chlorophyll content was significantly affected by the treatments (p < 0.001), with the control group showing lower levels than the low (p = 0.026), medium (p < 0.001), and high (p < 0.001) treatments. These findings suggest that NPK fertilization significantly enhances plant height and chlorophyll content in cherry tomatoes, while its effect on yield was not statistically significant. This research contributes to understanding optimal fertilization strategies for improving growth and chlorophyll accumulation in cherry tomato cultivation