Effects of Human Urine on Growth and Yield Parameters of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) In Sumbrungu in the Upper East Region of Ghana: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Purpose: With implications for sustainable agricultural practices, this study sought to determine how human urine, applied as fertilizer, affected the growth and production parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Sumbrungu, Ghana.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Three different urine dilutions (1:3, 1:5, and 1:10 with water) plus a control group (no urine) made up the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) utilized in the experiment. Until they bore fruits, tomato seedlings were raised in poly bags and given weekly treatments. Growth parameter measurements were made every two weeks, and soil samples were also collected.

Findings: The effects of urine fertilization on tomato output, blooming time, and growth were substantial. The plants with the highest average number of leaves (91.33), largest leaf area (6.77 mm²), thickest stems (1.00 mm), and most fruits (6.67) were produced by the 1:3 dilutions, whilst the tallest plants (60.67 cm) were created by the 1:5 dilutions. Nonetheless, the 1:3 treatments had a higher frequency of fruit decaying. Six weeks after transplanting, the 1:3 treatments were the first to flower, followed by the 1:5 treatments after seven weeks. No flowering was seen in the control group.

Research Limitation/Implication: The research was restricted to one growth season and one place. In order to optimize dilution ratios for various soil types, evaluate long-term effects on soil health, and address potential issues regarding pollutants in human urine, more research is required.

Practical Implication: The results imply that human urine can be a useful fertilizer for tomato farming in Ghana when it is appropriately diluted. It seems that the ideal dilution ratios fall between 1:3 and 1:5, striking a balance between promoting fruit quality and growth.

Social Implication: This study advances sustainable farming methods in underdeveloped nations by maybe providing an affordable substitute for chemical fertilizers. For widespread adoption, however, implementation may encounter logistical issues and cultural impediments that must be resolved.

Originality: The significance of this study rests in its ability to guide Ghana and comparable regions towards more sustainable farming methods, so promoting food security, resource conservation, and economic development in ways that are both locally and globally relevant.