Effect of cropping systems and organic inputs on soil nutrient balances and

tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) performance in Kabete, Kenya

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L) yields in Kabete,

Kenya, are on the decline due to soil fertility

depletion. This is caused by non-application of

inorganic fertilizers due to their escalating prices

hence unaffordable.

Alternative approaches to improvement of soil

fertility and tomato performance are imperative.

The proposed study will investigate the effect of

cropping systems and organic inputs on nutrient

balances, economic performance and yield of

tomato using NUTMON.

A randomized complete block design with a split plot

layout, replicated 4 times, will be used. The main

plots will be cropping systems; crop rotation

(chickpea-tomato), intercropping (chickpea/tomato)

and monocropping (sole tomato).

The split plots will be organic inputs: farm yard

manure and Mijingu rock phosphate. A control

(without organic inputs) will also be included as a

split plot. The soil (prior to crop planting and at

harvest) and plants (at harvest) will be sampled for

determination of the macro-nutrients N, P and K

levels.

It is envisioned that positive nutrient balances and

enhanced performance of tomato will be realized

following the application of organic inputs and

integration of chickpea in a tomato based cropping

system.

Key words: Cicer arietinum L, Cropping

System, Lycopersicon esculentum L, NUTMON,

Organic Inputs.