Experimental site and planting material
The experiment was conducted at the Soil Science field Lab of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from November 2011 to April 2012. The site was belonged to the Non calcareous Dark Grey Floodplain Soils under the Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ-9) of Old Brahmaputra Floodplain (FAO and UNDP, 1988). In this experiment a tomato variety, Ruma VF, was used as experimental material. This mutant is usually cultivated as a winter variety, which is high yielding and disease resistant. It requires 60 to 65 days to mature.
Collection of soil samples
The initial soil sample was collected from Soil Science Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.
Chemical analysis of soil samples
Soil pH was determined as described by Jackson (1973). Organic carbon was determined as outlined by Page et al. (1982) and the organic matter was calculated by following Van Bemmelen factor of 1.73. Total N was determined as described by Bremmer and Mulvaney (1982) while available P was extracted following Olsen et al. (1954). Exchangeable K was determined as described by Thomas (1982) and available S content by Williams and Steinberg (1952).
Collection of manure and slurry
Poultry manure and poultry slurry were collected from Krishibid Poultry Farm, Valuka, Mymensingh. Cow-dung and cow-dung slurry were collected from dairy farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Chemical analysis of manure and slurry
Manure and slurry Samples were analyzed for determination of N, P, K and S concentrations and were determined following the same method as used in soil chemical analysis.
Experimental protocol
The experiment comprised of six treatments viz., T0 - Control, T1 - Recommended fertilizer Dose (RFD), T2 - 60% RFD + Poultry Manure (PM), T3 - 60% RFD + Poultry slurry, T4 - 60% RFD + Cow-dung (CD), T5 - 60% RFD + Cow-dung slurry. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. There were 18 plots (6×3) and the area of each plot was 4m × 2.5 m. After final land preparation the experimental plot was fertilized as per recommendation of BARI (2005). Healthy and uniform sized 30 days old seedlings were transplanted in the experimental plots in the afternoon on 17 November 2011. After transplanting remaining seedlings were kept aside for gap filling. Intercultural operations were performed as and when necessary throughout the growth period of the crop according to the recommendation of BARRI (2008). Fruits were harvested at full maturity. Harvesting was done at several times. Time duration of harvesting was 12 February to 26 April 2012.
Data collection
The plant height (cm) was recorded at 56 DAT and measured from the ground level to the tip of the longest stem and mean value of 10 plants was calculated. Total number of fruits plant-1 was calculated by taking mean value of 10 plants per plot. The fruit weight (g) was calculated by taking mean value of ten fruits per plot. Finally the yield was calculated in kg plot-1 and then it was converted into t ha-1.
Statistical analysis
The recorded data were compiled and statistically analyzed for ANOVA with the computer package MSTAT-C (Russell, 1986). A one way ANOVA was made by F variance test. The pair comparisons were performed by Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at 1% level of probability (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).