Impact of Staking Methods and Poultry Manure Rates on the Performance of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) In Bauchi and Kashere, North - Eastern, Nigeria

Field trial were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State and Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Bauchi State in the 2024 dry season to investigate the impact of staking methods and different poultry manure rates on the performance of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The study involved two staking methods (trellis and bench staking) and six different rates of poultry manure (0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 tons per hectare) that were factorially combined and arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Growth characteristics measured included plant height (cm), Number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth (cm), leaf area (cm2 ) and leaf area index. Yield characteristics assessed were fruit diameter (cm), number of fruits, and fruit yield tons per hectare. The results indicated that tomato plants were significantly (P≤0.001) taller in plots treated with 30 tons per hectare of poultry manure. There was also a marked increase in canopy development, including the number of leaves, branches, stem girth, leaf area, and leaf area index, all significantly (P≤0.001) enhanced under the 30 tons per hectare, poultry manure application. Additionally, this treatment resulted in improved yield metrics such as fruit diameter, number of fruits, and overall fruit yield, which were also significantly (P≤0.001)higher in plots with 30 tons per hectare of poultry manure. The result of staking among characters showed that there is no significant (P≤0.001) difference between staking methods. Staking also positively impacted tomatoes performance, likely due to improved support and exposure to sunlight. Using both staking and poultry manure led to the best results in terms of fruit count and yield, which were 64.50 fruits and 35.44 tons per hectare, respectively. The study also showed that there is no significant interaction (P≤0.001) between the methods of using poultry manure and staking. These results indicate that applying 30 tons per hectare of poultry manure along with staking can enhance tomato production.